An August 7, 2012 press release from the Department of Budget and Management

Secretary Abad: P3 B in quick response funds already with agencies at the start of 2012

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) today reported that the Calamity Fund still has a balance of P5.950 billion that can be released for disaster response and rehabilitation efforts.

Secretary Florencio B. Abad also said that DBM has already released P2.989 billion in Quick Response Funds (QRFs) to the responsible departments early this year.

Department Amount

DA 500 million

DepEd 550 million

DoH 170.195 million

DND-Office of the Secretary 352.5 million

DND-Office of Civil Defense 530 million

DPWH P224.286 million

DSWD P662.5 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 P7.5 billion for the Calamity Fund; and a balance of P291.775 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 P10.489 billion has been appropriated for the Calamity Fund and QRFs, compared to the P5-billion Calamity Fund under the 2011 Budget.

dbm.gov.ph