A significant portion of the country’s calamity budget has already been deployed this year, with national data showing that billions have gone to agencies leading disaster response and recovery operations throughout 2025.
Figures from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) revealed that P18.6 billion from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund had been disbursed from January to November. The spending covers emergency aid, rehabilitation work, and support to communities affected by a string of natural hazards.
Even with the heavy utilization, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund reported that close to P2.4 billion remains available this December for urgent calamity-related needs. Of that balance, P1.39 billion is still parked under the NDRRM program, while the People’s Survival Fund retains another P1 billion.
The year’s total allocation under the 2025 General Appropriations Act amounts to P21 billion. By the end of October, agencies had drawn P4.25 billion from the NDRRM Fund, which means the DBM released roughly P1.86 billion more in November alone.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) received the largest share of released funds at P10.22 billion, funneled into relief operations and assistance to affected families. The Department of Public Works and Highways followed with P5.76 billion for repairs to damaged infrastructure, while the Department of Agriculture (DA) obtained P1 billion for its initiatives.
Several agencies also processed replenishments of their quick response funds (QRF), a standby facility designed to support immediate relief delivery and the restoration of essential facilities after disasters. On November 7, the DBM approved P1 billion to restore the DA’s QRF and another P53 million for the Department of Transportation.
Additional releases included P752.06 million for the DSWD’s QRF on November 11 and P50 million for the Department of the Interior and Local Government on November 12 to rebuild its own rapid-response resources.
The QRF supports emergency distribution of supplies to disaster-affected areas and funds the repair of public buildings, bridges, and roads damaged by calamities.
