Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman has announced that the government is prepared to leverage the PHP15.5 billion balance in the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (NDRRMF) to address the ongoing challenges of the El Niño phenomenon. This fund, part of the more significant PHP20.5 billion allocation for disaster risk reduction and management in 2024, represents a critical resource to mitigate the adverse effects of prolonged dry spells and diminishing water sources affecting various provinces across the country.
In her statement, Secretary Pangandaman underscored the importance of proactive measures to support operations to alleviate the dry spell’s negative impacts. The current balance in the NDRRMF includes PHP1 billion earmarked explicitly for parametric insurance coverage, which serves as a vital financial safeguard for government facilities against natural calamities. Additionally, the NDRRMF incorporates quick response funds (QRFs) totaling PHP7.825 billion, strategically allocated to key government agencies responsible for disaster response and relief efforts.
These allocations highlight the government’s commitment to ensuring swift and effective responses to disaster-related challenges, with dedicated funds allocated to agencies such as the Department of Agriculture, Department of Education, Department of Health, Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine National Police, Office of Civil Defense, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Social Welfare and Development, and the Philippine Coast Guard. The utilization of these funds is governed by specific guidelines and special provisions, ensuring accountability and transparency in resource allocation and utilization.
Secretary Pangandaman also emphasized the critical role of the NDRRMF in providing essential aid, relief, and rehabilitation services to affected communities and areas. This includes support for repair, rehabilitation, and reconstruction works necessitated by natural or human-induced calamities within the current or preceding two years, subject to presidential approval. Moreover, the fund serves as an additional financial resource for agencies with existing QRF provisions, particularly when QRF balances reach critical levels, subject to the approval of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
In addition to the NDRRMF, Secretary Pangandaman highlighted the significant allocation of PHP4.5 billion for the Crop Insurance Program administered by the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC). This allocation aims to cover the total cost of crop insurance premiums for over 2.292 million targeted farmers, providing them with crucial financial protection against crop losses due to adverse weather conditions, including the impacts of El Niño.
The announcement comes amidst reports from Task Force El Niño, revealing that 103 cities and municipalities have declared a state of calamity due to the effects of El Niño. These declarations underscore the urgent need for coordinated and robust responses to address the challenges of prolonged dry spells, water scarcity, and related agricultural and environmental concerns. With the impacts of El Niño expected to persist until June, the government’s proactive stance in leveraging available disaster relief funds and resources is crucial in safeguarding vulnerable communities, supporting agricultural resilience, and ensuring continuity of essential services in affected areas.
