Senator Pangilinan seeks P15-billion fund for Mindanao recovery after earthquake

Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan has proposed a P15-billion supplemental budget to finance relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction efforts in Mindanao areas devastated by the magnitude-7.8 earthquake that struck the region on June 8.

Under Senate Bill No. 2259, filed on June 9, Pangilinan is seeking a supplemental appropriation for fiscal year 2026 to help communities recover from the powerful quake, which struck off the coast of Sarangani Province and caused widespread destruction across Regions XI and XII.

The earthquake damaged homes, schools, hospitals, public infrastructure, businesses, and other facilities in affected provinces and cities.

Pangilinan said the proposed funding would support the immediate delivery of assistance to affected residents, facilitate the restoration of damaged infrastructure and essential services, and help revive local economies and livelihoods.

“Ang prayoridad natin sa gitna ng sakunang ito ay ang kapakanan ng ating mga kababayan sa Mindanao—na sila ay maging ligtas, magkaroon ng sapat na tulong mula sa gobyerno, at nawa’y makabalik muli sa kanilang normal na buhay at hanapbuhay sa pinaka-madaling panahon,” he added.

“Higit pa sa agarang tulong na kailangan ng ating mga kababayan sa Mindanao ngayon, kailangan din nila ng matagalang suporta mula sa gobyerno para muli silang makabangon mula sa trahedyang ito,” the senator said.

The veteran lawmaker said the funding should be drawn from available resources in the National Treasury that have not yet been appropriated.

According to the measure, the proposed allocation would supplement the existing budget of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and strengthen ongoing disaster response and recovery operations.

Pangilinan said the additional resources would allow national and local government agencies to address urgent requirements such as temporary housing, food aid, medical assistance, water and sanitation services, and the rehabilitation of schools, hospitals, roads, and other critical infrastructure.

The bill earmarks P2 billion for the Department of Agriculture, including funds for the National Irrigation Administration and assistance to farmers and fisherfolk; P2 billion for the Department of Education; P1.5 billion for the Department of Social Welfare and Development; P500 million for the Department of Energy; and P1 billion for state universities and colleges.

Additional allocations include P1.5 billion for the Department of Health, P1 billion for rural, district, and provincial hospitals through the DOH and local government units, P1 billion for the Department of Public Works and Highways, P2 billion for the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development and the National Housing Authority, P500 million for the Department of Transportation, and P2 billion for affected local government units.

To ensure accountability, the Department of Budget and Management, NDRRMC, Commission on Audit, Senate Committee on Finance, and House Committee on Appropriations will oversee quarterly reports from agencies, local governments, and government-owned and controlled corporations receiving funds under the program.

The reports will detail fund releases, obligations and disbursements, projects funded, locations served, beneficiary counts, implementation status, procurement methods used, and any issues affecting project completion.

Based on the latest NDRRMC data, the earthquake has left 37 people dead, injured 479 others, and left four individuals missing.

Authorities also reported that the disaster caused more than P1 billion worth of damage to public and private properties, making it one of the most destructive earthquakes to hit Mindanao in recent years.

-Paraluman News