The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has released PhP 662.5 million to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to cover the replenishment of the Quick Response Fund (QRF). This is in preparation for the possible effects of Typhoon Rosita (international name: Yutu) in Northern Luzon and forthcoming typhoons that may enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility in the last two remaining months of the year.

The QRF is a stand-by fund used to cover relief and rehabilitation in case of disasters and calamities.

According to the DSWD request for fund release, the PhP662.5 million allotment will be used for the purchase of family food packs, the conduct of Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) programs (i.e. purchase of relief supplies, cash or food-for work programs, shelter assistance), and as a standby fund.

This is the third time the DSWD QRF is replenished this year. Prior to this replenishment, the QRF of the DSWD had a balance of around P637 million.

According to the DBM, it is standard practice to replenish the fund in anticipation of forthcoming disasters or calamities.

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