The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has approved the release of PHP875 million to replenish the Quick Response Fund (QRF) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
The move is in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to concerned government agencies to ensure disaster response and recovery funds.
The fund will be sourced from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (NDRRM) Fund under the 2024 budget.
“Alam po natin na mahalaga ang papel ng DSWD sa pag-alalay at pagtugon sa pangangailangan ng ating mga kababayan lalo’t sunud-sunod po ang nangyaring mga kalamidad (We know that the role of the DSWD is important in supporting and responding to the needs of our countrymen, especially now that calamities keep on happening),” Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said.
“Kaya nung nag-request po sila na i-replenish ang kanilang QRF, agad po natin ‘yang tinugunan bilang pagsunod din po sa direktiba ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos na siguruhing may nakaantabay tayong pondo para sa anumang sakuna (So when they requested to replenish their QRF, we responded immediately in compliance with the directive of President Bongbong Marcos to make sure we have funds on hand for any disaster),” she added.
The NDRRM Fund may be used as an additional funding source for the QRF of implementing agencies concerned when its balance reaches 50 percent, subject to the approval of the DBM.
As of October, DSWD’s available QRF balance has reached below the 50 percent threshold at PHP557.77 million or 31.87 percent of its current appropriations, according to the DBM.
The replenishment is intended for the procurement of family food packs and non-food items for the stockpiling of relief resources in DSWD warehouses, and the implementation of cash for work for the affected families of Typhoon Julian (international name Krathon) in Region 1.
“Malaking bagay po ang pondong ito para tuluy-tuloy na makapagbigay ng tulong ang DSWD sa mga pamilyang nasalanta ng bagyo (This fund is a big help so that the DSWD can continuously provide assistance to the families affected by the typhoon),” Pangandaman said. (PNA)
