Around P150 billion from the 2026 national budget may be tapped to support recovery and reconstruction efforts in Mindanao after a strong earthquake struck the region on Monday morning.
The available funds include nearly P20 billion under the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), about P50 billion in local government support funds, and roughly P80 billion allocated for the construction and rebuilding of classrooms under the Department of Education (DepEd).
“Ibig sabihin, puwedeng diretsong tulungan ang mga local government sa kanilang reconstruction efforts,” Senate President Pro Tempore Sherwin Gatchalian said in an interview.
This means local government units may receive direct assistance for their reconstruction efforts.
The funds are expected to support the rebuilding of damaged public infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and schools in quake-hit areas.
The Senate finance committee has been asked to coordinate with affected local government units to determine the scope of assistance needed for recovery.
“Sigurado ako ang pinakamalaki ditong pondong gagamitin ay yung reconstruction dahil nabalitaan namin may mga kalsada, tulay, yung schools, nakita natin daming schools na na-damage,” the solon said.
He said damaged classrooms remain a major concern, as the country is already facing a shortage of learning facilities.
“Ang pinaka-inaalala ko ay yung mga schools dahil alam naman natin may shortage na tayo. Kung masisira pa ang marami sa ating mga schools, lalaki ang shortage natin,” he said.
The Department of Education will be asked to provide an official list of damaged or destroyed schools to help determine where reconstruction funds should be directed.
Gatchalian said the classroom funds were originally intended to address the education infrastructure backlog, but may now have to be used to repair or rebuild schools damaged by the earthquake.
“Wala tayong choice kundi gamitin muna yung pondo para sa reconstruction at para hindi maputol yung pag-aaral ng mga bata,” he said.
He said assistance is also being prepared for affected residents, with members of the Senate majority expected to visit parts of Mindanao this week to personally deliver aid.