Php 5.95 B in calamity funds available for disaster response & rehab

The Department of Budget and Management today reported that the Calamity Fund still has a balance of Php 5.950 billion that can be released for disaster response and rehabilitation efforts.

Secretary Florencio B. Abad also said that DBM has already released Php 2.989 billion in Quick Response Funds to the responsible departments early this year.

Department


DA - Php 500 million

DepEd - Php 550 million

DoH - Php 170.195 million

DND-Office of the Secretary - Php 352.5 million

DND-Office of Civil Defense - Php 530 million

DPWH - Php 224.286 million

DSWD - Php 662.5 million

Total QRF: P2.989 billion

"These funds are readily available to enable national government agencies to immediately respond to the needs of localities and citizens affected by calamities," he said.

"We are ready to augment these QRFs and the Calamity Fund if needed. We have enough savings that can be realigned to support disaster response and rehabilitation activities," he said.

The 2012 Budget provides Php 7.5 billion for the Calamity Fund; and a balance of Php 291.775 million has been carried-over from the previous year. Unlike in the previous fiscal years where the QRFs have been tucked into the Calamity Fund, the 2012 Budget allocates QRFs separately under the budgets of departments. A total of Php 10.489 billion has been appropriated for the Calamity Fund and QRFs, compared to the P5hp -billion Calamity Fund under the 2011 Budget. - Official Gazette — ARA