Finance Secretary and Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) Chairperson Ralph G. Recto personally led the distribution of cash assistance and relief goods to families affected by the recent earthquakes in Cebu and Davao Oriental, reaffirming the Department of Finance’s (DOF) vital role as the nation’s chief fundraiser in delivering social protection to Filipinos.

This is in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s directive to ensure swift disaster response and strengthened preparedness to safeguard the welfare of every Filipino.

“[S]inisiguro po namin sa national government na hindi kayo nag iisa sa pagbangon. The whole Filipino nation stands with you. We are praying for you, working with you, and rebuilding beside you,” the Finance Chief said in his messages to Cebuanos and Davaoeños on October 23, 2025.

“More importantly, today we bring the assurance that we have the means, the resources, and the resolve to support every community affected. We have enough funds to respond quickly, to rebuild, and to come back stronger,” he added.

LANDBANK is among the first responders to the directive of Secretary Recto under DOF Circular 003-2025, which ordered all government financial institutions (GFIs) and government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) to immediately deploy relief operations to calamity-hit areas. The Finance Chief has direct supervision over GFIs and GOCCs.

Secretary Recto and LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette Ortiz personally handed over PHP 2.3 million worth of cash assistance to the local government units (LGUs) in Cebu to support earthquake-affected families. They also distributed 2,600 packs of relief goods.

Of the amount, PHP 500,000 each is allocated to the Municipal Governments of Medellin, San Remigio, and Daanbantayan, while the Municipal Governments of Tabogon, Tabuelan, Sogod, Borbon, Catmon, Bantayan, Sta. Fe, and Madridejos received PHP 100,000 each.

Prior to this, LANDBANK already released PHP 3.5 million in financial assistance to the Province of Cebu (PHP 2.0 million) and Bogo City (PHP 1.5 million) on October 7, 2025.

On the same day, the Finance Chief headed to Davao Oriental to hand over cash assistance totaling PHP 900,000. Of the amount, the Provincial Government of Davao Oriental received PHP 500,000, while the Municipal Government of Manay and the City Government of Mati were granted PHP 200,000 each.

He also led the distribution of 1,000 grocery packs to displaced families in Mati City and Manay.

In response to the directive of Secretary Recto, the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and the Social Security System (SSS) are also providing qualified members and pensioners with emergency and calamity loans.

As of October 6, 2025, a total of 6,394 GSIS members were granted loans amounting to PHP 187.68 million. SSS also provided PHP 639.52 million worth of calamity loans to 38,852 members with a lower interest rate and faster disbursement period, as earlier approved by Secretary Recto, who is also the SSS Chairperson.

The Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF) is also extending calamity loans and insurance claims for affected housing loan borrowers. Members with minor property damage may access short-term loans for immediate repair and recovery.

Meanwhile, LANDBANK facilitated salary loans for employees of government agencies and private companies with the state bank’s payroll accounts in affected regions.

The state bank is also providing affected farmers, fishers, cooperatives, MSMEs, corporations, and electric distribution utilities with access to recovery loans to help restore business operations.

The Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) has activated coverage for farmers affected by the earthquakes, protecting against agricultural losses caused by natural calamities.

The Small Business Corporation (SBCorp) is extending support to MSMEs through its Enterprise Rehabilitation Financing (ERF) program to recover from damage to fixed assets, inventory losses, and operational disruptions.

The National Food Authority (NFA), the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA), the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) mobilized relief operations, including the distribution of food packs, bottled water, hygiene kits, and medical supplies.

As part of the country’s Disaster Risk Finance strategy, the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) will file a claim under the National Indemnity Insurance Program (NIIP) for the repair and rehabilitation of public schools damaged by the earthquake.

The said cash donations, relief goods, and initiatives from GOCCs and GFIs are on top of the national government’s support to the affected families.

Resources have been activated under the national government’s Quick Response Fund (QRF) and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (NDRRMF) to provide urgent relief and recovery operations as well as support the repair of damaged facilities, infrastructure, and heritage sites.

Earlier, President Marcos, Jr. personally turned over funds to Davao Oriental worth PHP 93 million, while Cebu received PHP 50 million to help LGUs immediately repair hospitals, classrooms, evacuation centers, and water systems.

“We are working non-stop, and we will continue to work non-stop to make sure that every family, every barangay, and every community can rebuild stronger, safer, and sooner,” Secretary Recto said.

DOF HEARTS Series

This series showcases how the DOF is funding the nation’s HEARTS (H-health, E-education, A-agriculture and environment, R-roads and infrastructure, T-technology, and S– security and social protection) to bring us to Bagong Pilipinas.