DBM: Some P6.8B available to replenish department QRFs in Ulysses aftermath

The national government is ready to release some P6.8 billion to replenish funds of several departments amid the recent floods that hit the country, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said Sunday.

DBM Assitant Secretary Kim Robert de Leon, in a briefing with President Rodrigo Duterte, said the following replenishment funds are being processed:

• Department of Agriculture (DA) - P1.5 billion
• Department of Education (DepEd) - P2.1 billion
• Department of Health (DOH) - P600 million
• Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) - P1 billion
• Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) - P1.25 billion
• Office of Civil Defense (OCD) - P250 million

"Rest assured that as soon as we receive requests from these agencies for replenishment of their QRF [quick response funds], we are quickly acting on it para matuloy ang pag-provide ng serbisyo sa ating kababayan sa sunod sunod na bagyo," said de Leon.

Typhoon Ulysses (international name: Vamco) hit the country just last week, killing at least 67 and leaving damage worth P1.19 billion in terms of agriculture, and P469.7 million in terms of infrastructure.

The typhoon exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Friday morning, but heavy rains and the release of water from the Magat Dam and other reservoirs brought about massive flooding in Cagayan and Isabela.

A week before, Super Typhoon Rolly (international name: Goni), reported as the strongest storm of 2020 so far, hit several parts of the country, leaving over P8 billion in damage. — BM, GMA News