Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah “Mina” F. Pangandaman assured that the government is ready to support disaster-stricken areas following the consecutive natural calamities that battered the country in the past few months.
She made the statement amid concerns about some agencies’ depleted Quick Response Funds (QRF), especially in the wake of back-to-back weather disturbances.
The QRF is a built-in stand-by fund used to cover preparatory activities, relief and rehabilitation in case of disasters and calamities.
“Yung Quick Response Fund po kasi, ito po ‘yung naka-divide sa iba’t-ibang ahensya. Meron po nito ang Department of Agriculture, ang DepEd po, DSWD, DILG, PNP, BFP, OCD, DPWH, DOH, at DOTr-PCG. As of October 24 po, meron po ‘tong P30 billion — nasa kanila na po ‘yan. So nung mga panahon na po ‘yan, ang na-obligate na po nila is roughly P15 billion pero ngayon po, November na, at nakita po natin na ‘yung mga ahensya tulad ng DSWD at DPWH, naubos na po nila ‘yung sa kanila. So humihingi na po sila ng replenishment,” Secretary Mina said.
Under the 2024 General Appropriations Act (GAA), the existing National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (NDRRMF) balance can be used to replenish agency QRF. These agencies may request for replenishment from the DBM once they are able to utilize at least 50 percent of their QRF.
However, the Budget Secretary explained that the concerned agencies may tap other available sources, such as the Contingent Fund, Unprogrammed Appropriations, and Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) to augment their QRFs.
“Ang magandang balita naman po dito is meron pa po tayong Contigent Fund. More or less meron pa po tayo diyang P7 billion. So, ‘yan po ang pinaka-unang source na puwede nating gamitin,” Secretary Mina noted.
Secretary Pangandaman also said that other agencies’ QRFs have not yet been depleted. Meanwhile, the DSWD and DPWH have already requested for the replenishment of their agency’s QRFs.
To aid disaster relief and response, the Budget Secretary also said that the agencies may utilize the available funds on their existing regular projects and programs. She cited, as examples, the DSWD’s Assistance to Individuals In Crisis Situations (AICS) and the DPWH’s budget for the maintenance of projects and programs.
She likewise assured that there are still existing standby funds under the Unprogrammed Appropriations (UA) which the government may tap in case the Contingent Fund would run out.
Asked about the assistance given to local government units (LGUs), Secretary Mina explained that they can request directly from the DBM for the provision of the Local Government Support Fund – Financial Assistance to Local Government Units (LGSF-FA to LGUs).
“Noong mga nakaraang taon po, hindi po kasama sa menu ang mga typhoon at natural disasters. Kaso nga po dumadami ang mga typhoons at mga disasters, so dinagdagan po natin ‘yung listahan sa menu ng LGSF na kung kinakailangan po, puwede tayong magbigay ng tulong sa ating local government units na nasalanta,” Secretary Pangandaman said.
Under Local Budget Circular No. 155, the LGSF-FA to LGUs shall be used for financial assistance to local government units for various projects, including the “implementation of programs, projects, and activities for disaster response, rehabilitation, and recovery, including procurement or acquisition of disaster equipment and vehicles for disaster response and rescue activities. – PR
