P12.2 billion calamity fund still available

MANILA, Philippines — The government can still tap P12.23 billion to finance various disaster relief operations this year.

Data from the Department of Budget and Management showed that the government released P483.6 million from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund last month, bringing to P10.97 billion the amount released at the end of the third quarter.

The total allocation for this year is P23.21 billion.

In September, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) received P483.6 million. The amount covered the construction and rehabilitation of infrastructure in Dinagat Islands that were damaged by Typhoon Odette.

At least 53 percent of the calamity fund – about P5.77 billion – so far released went to the DPWH.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development and Department of Agriculture were the other top recipients with P3.15 billion and P1 billion, respectively.

The remaining amount was disbursed to the Department of Science and Technology, Department of National Defense, Department of Transportation, Philippine Ports Authority and National Housing Authority.

Last year, P18 billion was freed up to various government agencies for disaster response.