The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) released PhP662.5 million to augment the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Quick Response Fund (QRF) to purchase family food packs, including rice, for distribution to victims of calamities and disasters.

According to the DSWD, PhP134.7 million or almost a quarter of the augmentation to said Fund, was used for victims of Typhoon Ompong.

“The QRF is tapped to normalize the situation and living conditions of people and communities affected by calamities. It is lodged under the budget of selected agencies for quick response,” Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno said.

Under the FY 2018 General Appropriations Act, PhP7.6 billion is set aside for the QRF and is lodged under the following agencies: DSWD, PhP1.25 billion; Department of Education, PhP2.0 billion; Department of Public Works and Highways, PhP1.0 billion; Department of Agriculture, PhP1.0 billion; DND-Armed Forces of the Philippines, PhP750 million; Department of Health (DOH), PhP500 million; Department of National Defense-Office of the Civil Defense, PhP500 million; National Irrigation Administration, PhP500 million; and National Electrification Administration, PhP100 million.

The government has also provided PhP19.6 billion for the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (NDRRMF) this year.

This Fund may be used for the reconstruction, rehabilitation, repair, aid, relief, and other works or services, including pre-disaster activities, in connection with the occurrence of natural calamities, epidemics as may be declared by the DOH, other crises resulting from armed conflicts, insurgency, terrorism, and other catastrophes occurring in the current or two (2) preceding years. 

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