Only P6 billion remains of the P20 billion 2021 National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Fund, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.
In an interview with TeleRadyo this Monday, NDRRMC spokesperson Mark Timbal said part of the fund has already been allocated for the rehabilitation of Marawi City and continuing to help those affected by the disasters.
“May remaining na lang tayo na P6 billion for activities of 2021,” he said. “Kapag medyo naging aktibo na naman ang ating disaster situation, it’s possible we will be seeking for augmentation funding para tuloy ang suporta natin for affected communities.”
About P5 billion has been set aside for Marawi, which Timbal said is ongoing.
“Mga naka-priority list na po ‘yan. So, earmarked na ‘yong pondo. Marami po niyan ay ongoing na,” NDRRMC spox said.
The regular funding for the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Program is P13 billion, for various emergencies in the country such as typhoons.
Timbal shared that about 68 percent of the 2020 calamity fund was used by the NDRMMC for the COVID-19 response.
NDRRMC: Only P6 billion remains of the P20 billion 2021 calamity fund
“Itong 2021, we’re also foreseeing that utilization din, kasi ang daming government agencies po ngayon ang nagreresponde sa ating COVID-19 effort at humihingi ng additional funding support,” he said.
“For example, ‘yong DPWH, ‘yong continuing nila na pagtatayo ng mga facilities, ‘yong pagbigay ng karagdagang tulong sa local governments natin, mahuhugot din po ‘yan sa P20-billion funding natin,” NDRRMC spox added.
But Timbal explained that the remaining funds are being set aside for various disasters this year.
“Meron pa kasi tayong Bayanihan fund na ating ginagamit, at may continuing na appropriations tayo, kaya lahat ng ito ay ginagamit ng pamahalaan para matustusan ang pangangailangan for the pandemic,” he said.
“Kaya kahit papaano, itong ating regular fund ay naitatabi pa po natin para magamit in case na magkaroon pa tayo ng other emergencies. Letter B pa lang po tayo sa mga bagyo. So, we still have quite a lot to expect up ’til the end of 2021.”
The average number of typhoons hitting the country reaches 20.
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