Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah “Mina” F. Pangandaman assured on Wednesday, 24 July 2024 that the DBM is ready to support government efforts to aid our countrymen who were affected by the wrath of Typhoon Carina and the southwest monsoon or habagat.

 

“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,” Secretary Mina said.

 

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 PhP1 billion has been allocated to the Department of Agriculture, PhP3 billion for the Department of Education, PhP500 million for the Department of Health, PhP50 million for the Bureau of Fire Protection, PhP50 million for the Philippine National Police, PhP500 million for the Office of Civil Defense, PhP1 billion for the Department of Public Works and Highways, PhP1.75 billion for the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and PhP75 million for the Philippine Coast Guard.

 

These agencies may request for replenishment from the DBM once they are able to utilize at least 50 percent of their QRF.

 

Further, after the typhoon, if necessary, agencies may tap into the available National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (NDRRMF) under the FY 2024 GAA 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.

 

Per latest data, the government still has some P11.123 billion in calamity fund out of the P22.736 billion allocation this year. This includes the P2.236 billion carry over from last year’s budget that can be used for various disaster relief operations until the end of 2024.

 

From January to July 2024, calamity fund releases amounted to about P11.612 billion.

 

According to state weather bureau PAGASA, “Carina” did not make landfall in the Philippines, but it has been affecting parts of Northern Luzon and enhancing the southwest monsoon.

 

As of writing, Metro Manila has been placed under a state of calamity.