Gov't ready to tap ₱34-billion calamity fund for Mindanao quake relief
By Derco Rosal
At A Glance
- The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) assured that the country's quick response fund (QRF) remains available and ready for deployment to support a prompt response to victims of the earthquake in Mindanao.
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) assured that the country’s quick response fund (QRF) remains available and ready for deployment to support a prompt response to victims of the magnitude 7.8 earthquake in Mindanao.
As of May 31, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (NDRRMF) balance stood at ₱34.2 billion, a figure that followed releases totaling over ₱5.9 billion for the country’s immediate disaster response.
In a statement on Monday, June 8, the DBM said that the QRFs of all QRF-assisted agencies “remain available and may be immediately utilized to support ongoing disaster response and relief operations arising from the strong earthquake that affected Sarangani [province] and nearby areas.”
The DBM further said that it continues to coordinate with concerned agencies and stands “ready to process any request for QRF replenishment that may be submitted.”
“For the Sarangani earthquake response, existing QRF resources remain available for immediate deployment by the concerned agencies, while the DBM remains prepared to provide the necessary budgetary support as requirements arise.”
The total NDRRMF appropriation stood at ₱40.1 billion for fiscal year (FY) 2026, DBM data showed.
Of the total, ₱23.5 billion is allocated for the NDRRM Program (NDRRMP), and ₱15.3 billion for the Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Assistance Program (DRRAP) for local government units (LGUs).
An additional ₱1 billion is earmarked for the People’s Survival Fund (PSF), supplemented by ₱322.9 million in continuing appropriations from 2025.
All fund disbursements recorded so far in 2026 have been sourced from the NDRRMP and directed toward the QRF.
The QRF serves as an emergency standby fund for agencies to support disaster preparedness, relief, and rehabilitation. Agencies can request additional funds from the DBM after using at least half of their QRF allocation.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has been the sole recipient of these augmentations, receiving a total of ₱5.9 billion to replenish its emergency reserves. The replenishment was carried out through three major tranches in February (₱2 billion), March (₱1.94 billion), and April (₱2 billion).
After these QRF releases, the NDRRMP—the primary program for disaster risk reduction—held an available balance of ₱17.6 billion.
When combined with the untouched DRRAP and PSF, the government still holds a total of ₱34.2 billion to address future disaster-related requirements for the remainder of the FY.