Gov’t has P11-billion standby calamity fund for Carina aid, disaster relief —DBM

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on Wednesday said the government has over P11 billion in calamity funds that can be tapped to support aid and relief efforts amid the ravages of Super Typhoon Carina and the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat.

In a statement, the DBM said the government still has about P11.123 billion in the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (NDRRMF) out of the P22.736-billion allocation under the fiscal year 2024 General Appropriations Act (GAA).

This includes P2.236 billion carried over from last year’s budget that can be used for various disaster relief operations until the end of 2024.

The DBM said that, from January to July, the NDRRMF releases amounted to P11.612 billion.

“Our government is prepared. We are ready to support all operations for disaster rescue and relief with the necessary budget. Identified frontline government agencies may mobilize their Quick Response Fund (QRF) allocated in their respective budgets,” said Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman.

The QRF is a built-in budgetary allocation that represents pre-disaster or standby fund for agencies to immediately assist areas stricken by catastrophes and crises.

The following agencies have built-in QRFs in their respective budgets as specified in the FY 2024 General Appropriations Act (GAA): a total of P1 billion has been allocated to the Department of Agriculture, P3 billion for the Department of Education, P500 million for the Department of Health, P50 million for the Bureau of Fire Protection, P50 million for the Philippine National Police, P500 million for the Office of Civil Defense, P1 billion for the Department of Public Works and Highways, P1.75 billion for the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and P75 million for the Philippine Coast Guard.

The DBM said the agencies with QRF may request for replenishment once they are able to utilize at least 50% of their respective quick response funds.

Further, after the typhoon, if necessary, the Budget Department said the agencies may tap into the available NDRRMF upon completion of damage assessment and recommendation by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), and following the approval of the President.

The NDRRMF may be used for aid, relief, and rehabilitation services to communities/areas; as well as, repair, rehabilitation and reconstruction works in connection with the occurrence of natural or human induced calamities in the current or two preceding years.

The NDRRMF also serves as additional funding source of the QRF agencies when the balance thereof has reached 50%, subject to the approval of the DBM. — BM, GMA Integrated News