QUEZON CITY — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has requested the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for the immediate replenishment of its Quick Response Funds (QRF) to ensure the welfare agency’s unhampered disaster response.
DSWD spokesperson and Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said they need the timely replenishment of the funds, noting the number and frequency of storms hitting the country.
“Yung status of stockpile, standby funds natin nagkakahalaga pa ng P107 million. Gayundin, we have more than 1.3 million family food packs strategically prepositioned across the country, but we have also requested augmentation support already from the DBM. And then currently, under review na po ito,” Dumlao said in an interview on Nov. 7.
The DSWD requested a total of P875 million from the DBM, which will be directed to department-disbursed assistance to families affected by Kristine, Leon, and Marce, she said.
Portions of the fund will also be allocated for response to other disasters and calamities that may follow, she added.
Dumlao emphasized that these funds are crucial for the DSWD to sustain the procurement of food items and the augmentation of relief aid, which is central to the agency’s mandate in times of disasters and crises.
“Dahil ongoing pa rin po yung procurement natin to produce family food packs, we hope we could have our replenishment already so we can sustain our production,” she added.
Dumlao said they are eyeing their QRF replenishment to be available by next week. (PIA DMD)