The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said government agencies can tap the remaining P6.8 billion calamity fund following the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm Paeng.

On Thursday, Nov. 3, the DBM said the national government still has P6.8 billion left under its National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (NDRRMF), commonly known as calamity fund for 2022. The balance accounts for about 34 percent of the national government’s P20 billion budget allocation for disaster risk reduction and management in 2022.

“Please note that under the 2022 GAA, P19 billion was allocated for programmed appropriations in the NDRRMF, while P1 billion has been set aside for the Marawi Recovery, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Program (MRRP),” DBM said.

The DBM, meanwhile, said the Marcos administration raised its proposed NDRRMF for next year to P31 billion. Of that amount, P1 billion has been allocated for the Marawi Siege Victims Compensation Fund.

“The increase is in adherence to the directive of the President to transform the economy into something that is proactive rather than reactive, and to strengthen the country’s readiness and response efforts in times of disasters,” DBM said.

In his budget message, President Marcos said “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,” he added.