President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. assured that the Office of the President will replenish the dwindling calamity fund of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

In a Palace briefing, NDRRMC Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno admitted their calamity fund is almost depleted along with the Quick Response Fund (QRF) of other government agencies responding to crises situations.

“Technically, kulang na yung QRF ng mga agencies at paubos na rin ‘yung calamity fund, yung NDRRM fund natin,” he said.

While funds are low at the moment, the President is already committed to replenish the needed funds to sustain relief operations and disaster response efforts continue, he said.

“We got of course the commitment from the president himself, that they replenish this. So, theoretically, hindi tayo magkukulang doon sa pangangailangan nating pondo, dahil ibibigay naman iyan ng Office of the President,” he said.

Nepomuceno said NDRRMC has about P300 million calamity fund available and is waiting for replenishment to continue its operations until year end.

“Kulang na kulang na iyon, kasi halos per calamity tayo, halos nag-a-average tayo ng mga between P400 to P500 million,” Nepomuceno said.

“Minsan nagsho-shoot up pa iyan because Kristine is huge, hindi bumababa sa P500 million iyong direct assistance being given by the national government,” he added. |PND