DSWD gets P842 M for El Niño programs

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) released yesterday P842.5 million to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to assist families affected by El Niño.

“The funds are for the purchase of family food packs for prepositioning and disaster augmentation, cash or food-for-work programs, shelter assistance and additional relief supplies,” Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said.

Abad said the fund release was the second augmentation of DSWD’s quick response fund for this year. On April 1, DBM augmented the DSWD’s QRF with P662.5 million.

Of the nearly P2-billion QRF allotment the DSWD received this year, the agency has obligated P1.516 billion as of April 19, Abad said.

He said QRF represents pre-disaster or standby funds for agencies to immediately assist areas stricken by disasters and calamities.

Aside from the DSWD, Abad said agencies with QRFs include the Departments of Public Works and Highways, National Defense (Office of the Secretary and Office of the Civil Defense), Education and Agriculture.

These agencies may  request for augmentation of their QRF when it gets depleted, Abad said.

He said quick response funds are sourced from the P19-billion appropriation in the national budget for disaster risk reduction and management.