Senator Gatchalian: ₱180.48 billion from 2026 budget available for Mindanao earthquake response

Senate President Pro Tempore Sherwin Gatchalian said that a total of ₱180.482 billion under the 2026 national budget is available and can be utilized immediately for emergency response, relief, and rehabilitation efforts in Mindanao following a powerful earthquake that resulted in casualties and widespread damage to infrastructure.

“Ang importante magamit natin agad ang mga pondo na ito dahil marami tayong kababayan na apektado at nangangailangan ng agarang tulong mula sa gobyerno,” Gatchalian said.

He pointed to the immediate availability of ₱17.898 billion under the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (NDRRMF), the government’s primary funding source for disaster response, rehabilitation, reconstruction, and recovery operations.

Gatchalian also cited additional funding sources, including ₱32.307 billion under the Local Government Support Fund–Financial Assistance to Local Government Units, ₱15.897 billion under the Contingent Fund, and ₱8.163 billion under the Quick Response Fund allocations of various agencies.

He added that the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has ₱46.778 billion available under its program for assisting individuals and families in crisis situations.

For the education sector, the Department of Education has ₱4.08 billion allocated for disaster preparedness and response, along with a larger ₱67 billion budget this year intended for classroom construction, which may help address damage to school facilities caused by the earthquake.

“Napakahirap ng sitwasyon ngayon ng ating mga eskwelahan dahil maraming school buildings ang naapektuhan ng lindol. Inaasahan nating magamit agad ang pondong ito para sa kapakanan ng ating mga estudyante sa Mindanao,” he said.

Additional funds for rehabilitation in quake-affected areas include ₱1.657 billion from DSWD-OSEC, ₱230.515 million from DA-OSEC, and ₱46.882 million from another allocation under DSWD-OSEC, Gatchalian noted.