DBM releases ₱1.6 B for typhoon relief

Marcos visits flood victims; ‘Emong’ exits

- DERCO ROSAL, ARGYLL CYRUS GEDUCOS, and MERLINA HERNANDO-MALIPOT

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has released a total of ₱1.6 billion to replenish the Quick Response Funds (QRFs) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

This move comes in response to the successive typhoons and other weather disturbances that ravaged the country the past few days.

For the DSWD, ₱625 million has been released to replenish their fiscal year (FY) 2025 QRF. The amount will mainly be used to purchase family food packs and non-food items for relief stockpiles. This will enable the DSWD to provide assistance to around 510,745 families affected by disasters.

The DPWH, meanwhile, received ₱1 billion for the second replenishment of its built-in quick response fund.

Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said in a July 25 statement that the DSWD and DPWH have "requested to have their QRFS replenished, so we released a total of ₱1.625 billion to both agencies." The DSWD and DPWH are among the government agencies with builtin QRFs to ensure they can respond immediately during disasters.

"We understand how important it is for these agencies to have sufficient funds to respond and provide assistance to those in need. As for us at the DBM, as long as the submitted documents are complete, we take immediate action," Pangandaman said.

According to the DBM, the funds will be used for reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts, including the pre-positioning of goods and equipment in disaster-hit areas, to help affected communities recover and return to normal as soon as possible.