In adherence to the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to speed up aid and recovery efforts for the victims of recent calamities that hit the country, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) releases a total of 1.625 billion to replenish the Quick Response Funds (QRFs) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
“Ang gusto po ng Pangulong BBM, lahat ng ahensya ng gobyerno ay gumalaw ng mabilis para mabigyan ng agarang tulong ang mga biktima ng lindol sa lalawigan ng Cebu. Whole-of-government approach po ito— mula sa paglalabas ng pondo, pag-deliver ng emergency service, at pagsasagawa ng ground zero assessment,” DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said.
“Our government is prepared. We have standby funds that can be tapped immediately to deliver assistance to those affected. In moments like this, government aid must never be delayed,” she added.
For the DSWD, a total of P625 million has been released to replenish their FY 2025 QRF. The amount is intended for the prepositioning of relief resources in DSWD warehouses and provision of Emergency Cash Transfer for disaster-affected families in areas declared under a State of Calamity.
Meanwhile, a total of P1 billion has been released to the DPWH to cover the third replenishment of its built-in QRF.
The said amounts shall be used for reconstruction and rehabilitation programs, activities, or projects, including the pre-positioning of goods and equipment in communities or areas stricken by calamities, which occurred in the last quarter of the immediately preceding year and those occurring during the current year.
The QRF serves as a stand-by fund for relief and recovery programs in order that the situation and living conditions of people in communities or areas stricken by disasters, calamities, epidemics, or complex emergencies may be normalized as quickly as possible. Concerned agencies may request replenishment from the DBM when the balance of the QRF has reached fifty percent (50%).
“As of October 2, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (NDRRMF) still has ₱5.3 billion available that can be used for broader rehabilitation efforts and the repair of infrastructure damaged by the earthquake,” Sec. Pangandaman said. (DBM)
