OCD: Gov't can tap P7.8-B NDRRM fund for El Niño response

The Philippine government government can tap over P7 billion available National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (NDRRM) Fund for response and relief efforts due to the effects of El Niño phenomenon, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said Saturday.

“Meron tayong P7.864 billion NDRRM Fund available po ‘yan for any response na kailangang gawin patungkol sa El Niño,” OCD spokesperson and Director for Disaster Preparedness Service Vic Tomas said at a news forum in Quezon City.

(We have an NDRRM Fund of P7.864 billion available for any response measures that may be required in relation to El Niño.)

Tomas reiterated that state of calamity has already bee declared in 106 areas amid the El Niño.

In its report, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said these areas are in five regions:

• Cagayan Valley - 66
• Calabarzon - 4
• Bicol - 12
• Soccsksargen - 1
• Caraga - 23

“‘Yung Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Assistance program ay P6.685 billion ready siya lalo na sa mga nag-declare na ng state of calamity,” Tomas said.

(The Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Assistance program has P6.685 billion available, especially for those that have already declared a state of calamity.)

The Department of Agriculture earlier reported that a total of P6.87 billion in agricultural losses was recorded across the country as of September 26, 2026, amid the ongoing effects of El Niño.

In the agency’s El Niño Bulletin No. 01, the DA said the recorded agricultural damage and losses have affected 223,214 farmers. —VAL, GMA News