MANILA, Philippines — The National Electrification Administration’s (NEA) funds to subsidize electric cooperatives affected by recent typhoons is already nearing depletion, said Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian on Monday.

Gatchalian was referring to the NEA’s Cooperatives Emergency and Resiliency Fund (Ecerf)—a program where electric cooperatives can tap into interest free, in times of calamities and emergencies such as typhoons.

The Ecerf, said Gatchalian, is allocated around P200 million every fiscal year.

Article continues after this advertisement

READ: Marcos: Quick response fund depleted due to back-to-back typhoons

FEATURED STORIES NEWSINFO Storm Ofel gains strength; Luzon landfall forecast on Nov. 14 NEWSINFO Tropical Storm Ofel enters PAR, may reach typhoon status Nov 13 NEWSINFO ‘Count me out’ as Davao mayor, says ‘tired’ Duterte

“So far, the initial estimate right now is around P180 million for the provinces affected by two typhoons,” said Gatchalian in the Senate’s plenary debates for the 2025 General Appropriations Act when asked by Sen. Imee Marcos how much funds the program has left.

“The P180 million is only until September, so the new typhoons will not be covered,” he added.

Article continues after this advertisement

According to Gatchalian, P20 million was used for cooperatives in Batanes alone.

Article continues after this advertisement

However, the senator noted that even upon depletion, the NEA has the option to then get the money from the national government’s quick response funds (QRF).

Article continues after this advertisement

But, Marcos pointed out that the country’s QRF is already running low amid the consecutive typhoons that hit the country in the past few months.

Gatchalian concurred, stating that such a challenge is also being faced by the NEA.

Article continues after this advertisement

“So the challenge there is how will NEA tap into QRF… but the mechanism is there,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Department of Budget and Management previously said that it is already looking into tapping other sources of funds for the QRF.

These funds included the Contingent Fund and available funds from the regular budget of various departments.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

SIGN ME UP

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

The QRF under 2024 GAA amounts to P7.9 billion. Among the agencies with allotted QRFs are the Department of Agriculture, Department of Educationmnl168, Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, and Department of the Interior and Local Government, among others.

READ NEXT Nika moving away from PH landmass; Wind Signal No. 3 lifted Marcos seeks deeper partnership with cruise tourism industry EDITORS' PICK Millennial midlife crisis is about ‘purpose and engagement’ Olivia Rodrigo’s ‘Deja Vu’ pulled from TikTok after Team Trump used it to celebrate win Dua Lipa, BF Callum Turner take a stroll in Intramuros Questions ‘Arcane’ Season 2 Act 1 left us with Inquirer business reporters bag 2 Ejap awards Meralco hikes power rates by 43¢/kWh in November MOST READ Comelec to decide on removing regulation of private social media accounts Storm Ofel gains strength; Luzon landfall forecast on Nov. 14 Royina Garma, daughter arrested, detained in California – DOJ Ai-Ai delas Alas confirms split with Gerald Sibayan Follow @FMangosingINQ on Twitter --> View comments

• For
• funds
• Emergency
• mnl168
• NEA

---