Calamity fund gets P21B for 2025

THE government allocated P21 billion for the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund for 2025, Quezon City 4th District Rep. Marvin Rillo said on Sunday.

The allocation is P500 million more than the P20.5 billion in 2024, said Rillo, a member of the House Committee on Appropriations.

"Our goal is to ensure that government agencies are well-equipped to respond to disasters, enabling faster recovery and continuity of essential services," he added.

In breaking down the fund, P10.7 billion was allocated "for aid, relief, and rehabilitation services in calamity-affected communities, including the training of personnel and other pre-disaster activities." P9.3 billion in capital outlays was allocated "primarily for the repair and reconstruction of damaged permanent structures." P1 billion went to the "People's Survival Fund, supporting adaptation projects and initiatives led by local government units and community organizations."

In terms of Quick Response Fund allocations, the Department of Education got P3 billion; Department of Social Welfare and Development, P1.25 billion; Department of Agriculture, P1 billion; Department of Public Works and Highways, P1 billion; Department of Health, P500 million; Department of National Defense-Office of Civil Defense, P500 million; National Irrigation Administration, P300 million; Department of Transportation-Philippine Coast Guard, P75 million; and Department of the Interior and Local Government, P50 million each for the Philippine National Police and Bureau of Fire Protection.