MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte has P20 billion in the 2019 national budget to help people and communities stricken by earthquakes and other calamities or disasters. In the budget he proposed to Congress in July 2018, the President recommended a P20-billion allocation for the national disaster risk reduction and management (NDRRM) fund, formerly calamity fund. The fund amounted to P15.8 billion in 2017 and P19.6 billion in 2018. Aside from the NDRRM fund, the President could use relevant appropriations in the national budget, and in the Office of the President (OP) outlay in particular, to help calamity-hit communities. He could also tap his social fund, which holds billions in contributions from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.

Source: Philippine Star April 24, 2019 20:15 UTC