DBM PRESS RELEASE
26 May 2023

Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman said on Thursday, 25 May 2023 that the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) is ready to support government efforts to aid our countrymen who may be affected by the wrath of Super Typhoon “Betty” (international name: “Mawar”).

“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 Pangandaman said.

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

Further, after the typhoon, if necessary, agencies may tap into the available National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (NDRRMF) under the FY 2023 General Appropriations Act (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 P18.3 billion in calamity fund, including the P1.5 billion carry over from last year’s budget, that can be used for various disaster relief operations until the end of 2023.

From January 2023 to date, calamity fund releases amounted to about P3.9 billion.

“Mawar” has intensified into a super typhoon as it moves across the Pacific Ocean toward the country's area of responsibility. It is forecasted to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) between Friday evening (May 26) and Saturday morning (May 27), and will be named "Betty."

According to state weather bureau PAGASA, the current track scenario shows that the rain bands of the typhoon may bring heavy rains over Cagayan Valley between Sunday and Tuesday next week.

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