DBM data: Over P25-B calamity funds unutilized as of end-March

The Philippines has yet to utilize its P20-billion calamity funds for this year while an additional P5 billion from 2020 has yet to be released even as parts of the country remain under community quarantines brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the Status of Allotment Releases report of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the full P20-billion National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (NDRRMF) has yet to be released as of March 31, 2021.

This includes P13 billion for the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Program (NDRRMP), P5 billion for Marawi recovery, and P2 billion for insurance premiums.

The NCR Plus bubble was placed under the strictest enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) starting March 29 to April 11, followed by the modified ECQ (MECQ) starting April 12 which is set to last until May 14.

2020 calamity funds

On top of this, the DBM said P5.135 billion of calamity funds for 2020 also remain unreleased as of end-March.

The breakdown of the unreleased calamity funds for 2020 include P4.688 billion for the Comprehensive Aid to Repaid Earthquake Damage for Regions XI and XII.

Also unreleased from the 2020 budget are P439.198 million for the NDRRMP, and P8.187 million for the Marawi recovery.

To recall, President Rodrigo Duterte in January signed laws that extended the Bayanihan to Recover As One Act and the 2020 national budget, given the COVID-19 pandemic.

Duterte in January also signed into law the P4.5-trillion national budget for 2021, aimed to finance the country's healthcare system, ensuring food security, and efforts against the pandemic.

DBM documents show that 75% or P3.414 trillion has been released as of March 31, 2021.

Under its mandate, the DBM seeks to promote the sound, efficient, and effective management and utilization of government resources. — RSJ, GMA News