The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has approved the release of PHP1.684 billion to replenish the quick response funds (QRF) of key government agencies leading post-disaster relief and recovery following the onslaught of Typhoon Tino and Super Typhoon Uwan.
The DBM said the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will receive the calamity funds upon the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to fast-track rehabilitation in areas battered by recent calamities, according to a news release Monday.
Of the total, PHP1 billion was released to the DA to strengthen rehabilitation programs in regions hit by African swine fever and recent storms, as well as to prepare for upcoming weather disturbances.
The DA’s replenished QRF will fund crop and livestock inputs, repair of agricultural facilities, and cash aid or equipment for affected farmers and fishers under the 2025 General Appropriations Act.
Meanwhile, PHP631.023 million has been released to the DSWD to support the distribution of family food packs and non-food items, stockpiling of relief goods, and emergency cash transfers for nearly 59,000 families affected by recent disasters.
“This replenishment of QRF for DSWD will ensure that our affected kababayan (fellow citizens) continue to receive needed financial aid, relief goods and livelihood to help them recover from disasters,” Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said.
Earlier in October, the DBM also released PHP1.982 billion to the DSWD for QRF replenishment.
The DBM likewise allocated PHP53.007 million to the PCG to bolster its search and rescue, relief and rehabilitation operations.
One of the year’s strongest typhoons, Uwan pummeled the Bicol Region and Aurora province over the weekend, before sweeping across the rest of Central Luzon. (PNA)