Marcos admin seeks P31-B calamity fund for 2023

The Marcos administration is seeking P31 billion for the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (NDRRMF) or calamity fund for fiscal year 2023.

As stated in the National Expenditure Program 2023, the fund will be used for aid, relief, and rehabilitation services to communities or areas affected by human-induced and natural calamities, and repair and reconstruction of permanent structures, including other capital expenditures for disaster operation, and rehabilitation activities.

The P31 billion was a huge increase from the P20 billion that was allotted in fiscal year 2022.

The special provisions include the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Program, which will be for the reconstruction, rehabilitation, repair, aid, relief, and other works or services, including pre-disaster activities, in connection with the occurrence of natural or human-induced calamities, epidemics as declared by the Department of Health), crises resulting from armed conflicts, insurgency, terrorism, and other catastrophes occurring in the current or two preceding years.

This will be subject to the approval of the President who may take into consideration the recommendation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) for local disasters or the appropriate agency for the international crises.

Under the expenditure program, there will be an additional funding source to the Quick Response Fund of the implementing agency concerned when the balance thereof has reached 50%, subject to the approval of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

Another special provision include the Marawi Siege Victims Compensation Fund, in which P1 billion was appropriated for the compensation of "any lawful owner of a residential, cultural, commercial structures, and other properties in Marawi's main affected areas or other affected areas destroyed or damaged, either totally or partially, on the occasion of the Marawi siege, or owners of private properties demolished pursuant to the implementation of the Marawi Recovery, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction Program, in accordance with Republic Act 11696 and guidelines to be promulgated by the Marawi Compensation Board."

GMA News Online asked the DBM why the budget was increased compared to the allocation in 2022.

One of the main reasons for the budget increase, according to DBM Undersecretary Goddess Libiran, is "to strengthen the country’s readiness and response efforts in times of disaster."

She cited President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s budget message, saying that "we must transform our economy from one that is reactive, where our people suffer the effects of economic shocks, to one that is proactive, where our people are prepared and our economy is spared. We must meet our productivity goals regardless of the disasters and crises that may come our way.”

Moreover, she said the NDRRMC recommended the release of P11 billion to cover rehabilitation projects in areas affected by disasters in 2020 and 2021.

"Please note that as stated in the special provisions of the NDRRMF, current projects, as well as those that are to be implemented as a result of calamities in the last two years, may be covered by the current year NDRRMF," she said.

"Unfortunately, these projects can no longer be accommodated in the current balance of the NDRRMF, as funding these shall cause the depletion of the fund, which is supposedly meant to serve as a standby or contingency fund for the national government’s disaster preparedness and response efforts," Libiran added.

Asked the same question, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said, "I have to get back to you on that. Remember that this budget was primarily crafted by the previous administration." —KBK/VBL, GMA News