DBM to replenish DSWD’s quick response fund —Bautista

The Budget Department and Management will replenish the quick response fund (QRF) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) as the agency aids victims of Typhoon Rolly, Secretary Rolando Bautista said Tuesday.

“Nag-usap na po kami ni [Budget] Secretary Wendel Avisado at nagpapasalamat po ako sa kanya kasi sinabi po niya na ire-replenish po niya ang QRF ng DSWD,” Bautista told President Rodrigo Duterte in a briefing.

Bautista said the DSWD has P226.1 million in standby funds being used as QRF.

Of this number, P184.7 million is available at the DSWD’s Central Office while the rest has been distributed to field offices.

Bautista reported that over P52.4 million worth of assistance was initially released to victims of Rolly.

The Senate finance committee earlier said it was looking into the possibility of increasing the government’s calamity fund for the next fiscal year. 

Aid for Rolly victims

Bautista said an initial batch of over 59,000 family food packs were transported to beneficiaries in Region 5, the area worst hit by Rolly, between November 2 and 10.

“‘Yung mga ibang family food packs po natin ay naka-preposition po ‘yan sa mga daungan o kaya sa mga airport in case there will be an available air or naval assets, they will be immediately pushed to Region 5, particularly Catanduanes,” he said.

Meanwhile, over 19,000 family food packs were distributed to beneficiaries in Metro Manila and Regions 3, 4A, and 4B.

Bautista said the typhoon affected over 2 million Filipinos while more than 33,000 houses were totally damaged and some 128,000 sustained partial damages. 

Rolly claimed at least 25 lives across the country when it hit last week. —LDF, GMA News