DA seeks P1.3 B for growth response fund

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Agriculture (DA) is requesting for P1.3 billion in additional funds from the government for the replenishment of its quick response fund amid rehabilitation purposes following the effects of the El Niño phenomenon in the country.

DA is also requesting P770 million from the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) which will be used for mitigation and control.

“I can’t give any timeline [as to when the budget will be given] but I think they know the urgency and that it is badly needed. I do hope and I’m sure that the agencies are aware of how urgent the needs for El Niño are,” said Agriculture Undersecretary Emerson Palad.

The DA has earlier requested for a P2.1 billion separate fund for El Niño but the DBM has yet to act on it.

“For the meantime, DBM’s instruction is to make use of the QRF since it is readily available but we have fully utilized it already,” he said.

The QRF, a standby budget worth P500 million, is being utilized for rehabilitation purposes not just for El Niño but for other calamities that may hit the Philippines.

“Farmers can use these funds even after El Niño especially during typhoons and other disasters,” Palad said.

“We cannot predict how long El Niño will last and how much damage it will still incur throughout the rest of the year.