Gov't has enough funds to respond to calamities — DOF

The Department of Finance (DOF) on Wednesday said the government has enough funds to bankroll the country’s disaster response to ensure immediate relief and rehabilitation of communities hit by recent earthquakes and typhoons.

“Mahalaga na laging may nakahandang pondo ang gobyerno para sa agarang tugon sa mga emergencies. Bilang pambansang fundraiser, sinisiguro namin sa DOF na tayo ay may sapat na pondo at kakayahan na agad na tugunan ang pangangailangan ng bawat Pilipino sa oras ng kalamidad,” said Finance Secretary Ralph Recto.

(It is important that the government has a steady fund for immediate response to emergencies. As the national fundraiser, we, in the DOF, ensure that we have enough funds and capability for immediately respond to the needs of every Filipino in times of calamities).

According to the DOF, the national government has released P17.85 billion of the P21-billion National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (NDRRMF) or Calamity Fund as of November 9, 2025.

Appropriated every year, the NDRRMF supports disaster risk reduction, prevention, and preparedness activities, as well as immediate aid, relief, and rehabilitation services after a calamity.

The Finance Department, moreover, said the national government also sets aside resources for the Quick Response Fund (QRF) in the national budget, which are allocated to key government agencies as a standby fund for the rehabilitation and recovery of communities affected by calamities and other national emergencies.

As of November 10, the national government has already released P13.96 billion under the QRF, including continuing appropriations from 2024.

This month, the latest QRF released amounted to P1.68 billion to support immediate relief, rehabilitation, and recovery efforts across regions affected by the onslaught of recent earthquakes and Typhoon Tino and Supe Typhoon Uwan, according to the DOF.

It said the Department of Agriculture (DA) will receive the bulk amounting to P1 billion to strengthen its recovery and rehabilitation programs in regions affected by African swine fever and the recent tropical cyclones.

Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will receive P631.03 million and P53.01 million, respectively.

The DSWD will use the funds to provide family food packs, non-food essentials, relief goods, and emergency cash transfers to 58,962 families. 

Meanwhile, the PCG will ramp up its relief, rehabilitation, and search-and-rescue operations in calamity-stricken areas.

The DOF said Recto also issued circular ordering government financial institutions (GFIs) and government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) to expedite the roll-out of services and ground support to the affected areas. 

In response, the Land Bank of the Philippines handed over P5.8 million worth of cash assistance to the local government units (LGUs) in Cebu to support earthquake-affected families.

In response to the directive of Secretary Recto, the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and the Social Security System (SSS) are also providing qualified members and pensioners with emergency and calamity loans. 

The Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF) is also extending calamity loans and insurance claims for affected housing loan borrowers. Members with minor property damage may access short-term loans for immediate repair and recovery.

Land Bank also facilitated salary loans for employees of government agencies and private companies with the state bank’s payroll accounts in affected regions. 

The state bank is also providing affected farmers, fishers, cooperatives, MSMEs, corporations, and electric distribution utilities with access to recovery loans to help restore business operations. 

The Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) is likewise providing financial assistance to LGUs affected by various natural calamities and offering rehabilitation of loans and extended payment terms.

The Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) has activated coverage for farmers affected by the earthquakes, protecting against agricultural losses caused by natural calamities.

The Small Business Corporation (SBCorp) is extending support to MSMEs through its Enterprise Rehabilitation Financing (ERF) program to recover from damage to fixed assets, inventory losses, and operational disruptions. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News