The Department of Budget and Management has approved the release of PHP740.834 million to replenish the Quick Response Funds (QRFs) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Office of Civil Defense (OCD).

In a statement on Friday, the DBM said around PHP640.834 million of PHP740.834 million will go to the DSWD, while the remaining PHP100 million will be released to the OCD.

The release of funds was in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to sustain the government’s ongoing relief and recovery efforts in the wake of the recent disasters that hit the country.

The DBM said the DSWD’s replenished QRF will be allotted for the procurement of family food packs and non-food items for the stockpiling of relief resources in the agency’s warehouses.

The DSWD will also use the additional funds to provide emergency cash transfers to 73,348 earthquake victims in Cebu and Davao provinces, as well as to residents affected by the southwest monsoon and tropical cyclones Mirasol, Nando, and Opong in the Bicol region.

“The released amount will also be used for the procurement of transport and delivery services and stand-by funds of DSWD Regional Offices, among others,” the DBM said.

On top of the DSWD’s newly released funds, the agency also received PHP625 million on Oct. 2 and another PHP716.15 million on Oct. 8 to cover the additional replenishment of its 2025 QRF.

Meantime, the PHP100 million replenishment of the OCD’s QRF is intended to cover the agency’s Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses to support its disaster management operations until the end of the year, the DBM said. (PNA)