5 days ago
DBM releases P1.625B for DSWD, DPWH quick response fund
The Department of Budget and Management has released a total of P1.625 billion to replenish the quick response funds (QRF) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) amid the impact of the Southwest Monsoon, or Habagat, and the series of storms that hit the country.
Of the said amount, the DBM said that P625 billion has been released to DSWD for the procurement of family food packs and non-food items. The Budget Department said that 510,745 could benefit from DSWD's response.
Meanwhile, P1 billion has been released to the DPWH to replenish its built-in QRF.
'Sinusunod po natin 'yung utos ng Pangulo na gawing prayoridad ang kaligtasan at kapakanan ng mga kababayan nating nasalanta ng sunud-sunod na bagyo at mga pagbaha,' said DBM Secretary Mina Pangandaman in a statement.
(We are following the President's order to prioritize the safety and well-being of our countrymen who have been devastated by a series of typhoons and floods.)
'Ang DSWD at DPWH po, kasama po 'yan sa mga ahensya ng gobyerno na may built-in QRFs para masiguro na agad silang makatutugon sa oras ng kalamidad. Now, they've requested to have their QRFs replenished, so we released a total of P1.625 billion to both agencies,' she added.
(The DSWD and DPWH are among the government agencies that have built-in QRFs to ensure that they can respond immediately in times of calamity. Now, they've requested to have their QRFs replenished, so we released a total of P1.625 billion to both agencies.)
The QRF is a standby fund for relief and recovery programs to help normalize the situation in areas hit by disasters, calamities, or epidemics.
Concerned agencies may request replenishment when their QRF balance has reached 50%, the DBM said.
According to the latest figures by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, a total of 4,679,046 people or 1,295,808 families have been affected by the bad weather in all regions except Eastern Visayas.
The region with the largest number of affected individuals was Central Luzon with 2,296,607, followed by Ilocos Region with 668,352 and Metro Manila with 399,392. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/LDF, GMA Integrated News
