Duterte's promised P10B to be sourced from calamity fund, contingency fund, 2022 GAA —DBM

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has identified the sources of the P10-billion aid to the victims of Typhoon Odette that was promised by President Rodrigo Duterte.

“For the P10 billion which the president mentioned, the P2 billion is already available under the NDRRMF which is the long name of the calamity fund,” DBM acting secretary Tina Canda said during a Palace briefing on Wednesday.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (NDRRMF) or calamity fund is a lump-sum appropriation intended for aid, relief, and rehabilitation to areas hit by human-induced and natural calamities.

Canda said there is P4 billion remaining under the P20-billion NDRRMF for 2021.

“The next P2 billion is available under the President’s contingent fund,” she said.

Duterte has promised to raise P10 billion for the rehabilitation and recovery efforts in the typhoon-affected areas, according to acting presidential spokesperson Karlo Nograles on Tuesday.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/815430/duterte-promises-to-raise-p10-billion-for-odette-victims/story/

The President made the pledge after he claimed that government funds have been depleted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The remainder P6 billion will be available in a couple of days once the GAA (General Appropriations Act) is signed for 2022,” Canda said.

“When is it going to be signed? We expect the 2022 budget measure will be signed before the year ends so it’s between after Christmas until the 29th these are the days that are open,” she added.

The reported death toll due to Typhoon Odette was at 177 as of Wednesday morning, with 275 injured and 38 still missing, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) in its latest report. 

The report also said 1,382,252 people or 368,063 families were affected by the typhoon in 3,238 barangays in Mimaropa, Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Davao, Soccsksargen, Caraga, and Bangsamoro.

The NDRRMC also said 446,939 individuals or 109,601 families were staying inside 2,505 evacuation centers, while 107,377 people or 26,588 families were staying in the houses of their relatives and friends.

Due to the impact of Odette, at least 15,618 homes were damaged — 13,144 partially and 2,474 totally2, the NDRRMC said.

A total of P323,259,892 worth of damage in agriculture and P227,107,000 in infrastructure were reported. --KBK, GMA News