The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has released PHP1.625 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).

About PHP1 billion of the PHP1.625 billion released funds will go to the DPWH, while the remaining PHP625 million will be given to the DSWD, according to a DBM news release on Friday.

The DBM said the funds earmarked for the DSWD’s QRF would be used for the procurement of family food packs and non-food items for the stockpiling of relief resources.

“It will allow the DSWD to provide 510,745 families affected by disasters,” it said.

On the other hand, the PHP1 billion allotted for the DPWH will cover the second replenishment of its built-in QRF.

DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said the release of funds is in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to prioritize the safety and welfare of the Filipinos in times of disaster.

“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 (The DSWD and DPWH are among the government agencies that have built-in QRFs to ensure they can respond immediately during times of disaster). Now, they’ve requested to have their QRFs replenished, so we released a total of PHP1.625 billion to both agencies,” Pangandaman said.

“Naiintindihan po namin kung gaano kahalaga na may sapat na pondo ang mga ahensyang ito para rumesponde at bigyang tulong ‘yung mga nangangailangan. Kami naman po sa DBM, basta’t kumpleto ang mga dokumentong isina-submit, agad po nating inaaksyunan ‘yan (We understand how important it is for these agencies to have sufficient funds to respond and provide assistance to those in need. We, at the DBM, immediately take action, so long as the documents submitted are complete).”

The DBM said the released funds 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 standby fund for relief and recovery programs intended for individuals from areas stricken by disasters, calamities, epidemics, or complex emergencies.

Concerned agencies may request replenishment from the DBM when the balance of the QRF has reached 50 percent. (PNA)