P1.7 billion calamity fund released

MANILA, Philippines — The government released P1.68 billion in calamity fund in the first quarter of the year.

Data from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) showed that for last month alone, P951.22 million was released from the national disaster risk reduction management fund.

Nearly 80 percent of the total amount released in March went to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) at P759.58 million.

Up to P468.62 million was allocated to cover reconstruction and rehabilitation of road projects in Surigao del Sur due to the damage caused by Typhoon Odette in 2021.

Another P280.97 million was earmarked for improvement of roads in Leyte, which was also affected by the typhoon.

The remaining P201.63 million was disbursed to the Department of National Defense to cover funding requirements for the repair and rehabilitation of the facilities of the Philippine Air Force base in Cebu as approved by President Marcos in November last year.

For the three-month period, calamity fund releases reached P1.68 billion, 81 percent of which went to the DPWH.

The other recipients of the calamity fund for the first quarter were the Department of Science and Technology, P35.18 million, and Philippine Ports Authority, P78 million.

The remaining calamity fund stands at P21.52 billion, including the P2.8 billion carryover from last year’s budget.

Last year, a total of P18 billion in calamity fund was released to various government agencies.

Calamity funds are also used to replenish the quick response funds (QRFs) of first response government agencies.

Once the QRF of these agencies reaches 50 percent or lower, it can request replenishment from the DBM.