Marcos Jr. Releases P8.6-B Disaster Rehab Funds to 306 LGUs Nationwide

Seventeen Pangasinan LGUs Secure Disaster Rehabilitation Funding

Seventeen local government units across Pangasinan are set to begin recovery projects after receiving financial support through the national government’s Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Assistance Program (DRRAP). Manaoag Mayor Jeremy Agerico Rosario, who serves as the provincial chapter president for the League of Municipalities of the Philippines, confirmed the distribution of these funds, which are specifically earmarked for infrastructure and livelihood restoration following disasters that occurred between 2024 and 2026. The Philippine News Agency reported that the individual allocations range from PHP 5 million to PHP 20 million, with the exact amounts determined by assessments conducted by the Office of Civil Defense.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. leads the ceremonial turnover of Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Assistance Program (DRRAP) funds to local government units (LGUs) at the Ceremonial Hall in Malacañan Palace on November 5, 2026. The national government has allocated… pic.twitter.com/MotylRg0I3

— https://x.com/PbbMarcos/status/2118287162320076815

This initiative is part of a broader national effort, with PHP 8.6 billion allocated to support 306 disaster-stricken municipalities nationwide. The funding is intended to address the long-term impact of typhoons, earthquakes, and the recent Kanlaon Volcano eruption. For many of these localities, the money arrives at a critical juncture, offering a pathway to rebuild essential public infrastructure—including roads, bridges, and evacuation centers—that were compromised during the recent string of calamities.

Direct Funding and Local Autonomy

The program’s structure emphasizes local decision-making. During the ceremonial turnover held at Malacañang Palace on November 5, 2026, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. explained that while national agencies have existing disaster funds, the DRRAP is designed to fill the gaps that those standard processes often overlook. By providing direct financial assistance, the national government is effectively handing the reins to local leaders, allowing them to prioritize projects that reflect the specific needs of their constituents.

Marcos Jr. Releases P8.6-B Disaster Rehab Funds to 306 LGUs Nationwide — Photo: Punto! Central Luzon

Mayor Rosario noted that Manaoag intends to utilize its PHP 5 million grant to establish a dedicated command center, a move aimed at streamlining future disaster response. Meanwhile, in Zambales, the Municipality of San Marcelino received an identical PHP 5 million allocation following severe monsoon damage in August. As reported by Punto! Central Luzon, Mayor Elvis Ragadio Soria personally accepted the funds, which will go toward repairing a damaged bridge and barangay hall that have hampered local services since the rains hit.

Strict Oversight and Anti-Corruption Mandate

The scale of the funding—over PHP 6 billion of which has already been released, with an additional PHP 2.5 billion currently being processed—comes with a stern warning from the executive branch. President Marcos Jr. made it clear during the ceremony that the government would enforce a zero-tolerance policy regarding the misuse of these resources. According to reports from Philstar.com, the President explicitly prohibited the use of these funds for “ghost projects” or commissions, warning that any attempt to profit from the suffering of disaster victims would be met with the full force of the law.

This scrutiny follows a broader government investigation into flood control corruption that reportedly cost the Philippine economy an estimated PHP 118.5 billion annually between 2023 and 2025. By linking the current disaster aid to strict accountability measures, the administration is attempting to ensure that these funds actually reach the intended recovery targets. The urgency of this transparency is shared by local officials who view the aid as a vital bridge to normalcy.

Building Across Political Lines

The distribution of the DRRAP funds has also served as a moment of political de-escalation. Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo, who attended the turnover ceremony, noted that the selection process appeared to move beyond political allegiances. “Perhaps the best evidence that there is no political color is the attendance a while ago,” she told reporters, emphasizing that the focus remains on the immediate necessity of recovery. With hundreds of municipalities still waiting on second-batch approvals, the success of these initial projects in Pangasinan, Pampanga, and beyond will likely set the tone for how the national government manages disaster recovery in the years ahead.