The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has requested the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for the immediate replenishment of the agency’s Quick Response Fund (QRF).
DSWD spokesperson Irene Dumlao said the agency expects the QRF replenishment next week to ensure unhampered disaster response after three tropical cyclones hit the country within three weeks.
Dumlao, also Assistant Secretary for Disaster Response Management Group, said the agency still has PHP107 million in standby funds.
“We also have more than 1.3 million family food packs strategically prepositioned across the country, but we have also requested already for augmentation support from the DBM. And then currently, it is already under review),” she said, as quoted in a news release on Friday.
She said the DSWD has requested PHP875 million from the DBM, which will be directed to assistance to families affected by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine, Typhoon Leon, and Typhoon Marce, as well as future weather disturbances.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration on Friday said Marce continues to weaken but a low-pressure area is forecast to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Friday night or Saturday.
Dumlao said the fund will be crucial to sustain the continuous procurement of food items and the augmentation of relief aid.
AKAP budget
Dumlao, meanwhile, pointed out that the agency fully respects the Senate Committee on Finance’s proposed amendments to the 2025 DSWD budget.
“As an implementing agency, the DSWD will of course implement only the projects or programs that are indicated in our General Appropriations Act [GAA],” she said when asked to comment on the Senate committee’s suggestion of removing the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) in the line item of the DSWD’s proposed budget for 2025.
The GAA of 2024, specifically the Special Provision No. 3 of the DSWD budget, authorized the funding for AKAP amounting to PHP26.7 billion to serve as financial assistance to minimum wage earners falling under the category of low income that are severely affected by the rising inflation.
To qualify as a beneficiary under AKAP, the individual must belong to the low-income category, such as those whose income does not exceed the statutory minimum wage.
Not qualified to receive any form of assistance provided under AKAP are beneficiaries of DSWD programs such as the households belonging to the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program and indigent senior citizens who receive P1,000 monthly social pension.
Dumlao said the DSWD welcomes the Senate’s review of the proposed amendments.
“Ang DSWD naman, of course, iginagalang natin ang atin (The DSWD, of course, will respect the) legislative branch of the government which has the power of the purse,” she said. (PNA)
