THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said the government tapped P134.7 million from the quick response fund (QRF) to aid victims of typhoon Ompong (international name: Mangkhut).
In a statement on Monday, the DBM said that the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) used the funds to purchase family food packs, including rice, for distribution to calamity victims.
“The QRF is tapped to normalize the situation and living conditions of people and communities affected by calamities. It is lodged under the budget of selected agencies for quick response,” Budget Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno said.
The 2018 budget allocates P7.6 billion to the QRF.
The fund may be tapped for reconstruction, rehabilitation, repair, aid, relief, and other works or services, including pre-disaster activities, in connection with the occurrence of natural calamities, epidemics as may be declared by the DoH, other crises resulting from armed conflicts, insurgency, terrorism, and other catastrophes occurring in the current or two preceding years.
Earlier this month, the DBM released P662.5 million to the DSWD to augment its funds for the Disaster and Response Management Program.
The funds top up the program’s P103.6-million balance.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said on Monday that the typhoon, which hit last week, damaged P18 billion worth of public infrastructure and agricultural crops.
Separately, the Bureau of Customs donated forfeited shipments such as rice and canned goods to the DSWD for distribution to families affected by the typhoon.
Commissioner Isidro S. Lapeña said in a statement that the BoC donated 374 sacks of rice and 5,040 units of canned food, representing shipments subject to forfeiture proceedings.
Last week, the Manila International Container Port (MICP) also donated bedding and clothing, while the Port of Cebu donated 14 containers of rice, and the Port of Zamboanga donated 6,921 bags of glutinous rice.
Under section 1141 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, “goods subject to disposition may be donated to another government agency or declared for official use of the Bureau, after approval of the Secretary of Finance, or sold at a public auction within 30 days after a 10-day notice posted at a public place at the port where the goods are located and published electronically or in a newspaper of general circulation.” — Elijah Joseph C. Tubayan
