Marcos to DBM: Hasten release of funds for relief ops

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Friday tasked the Department of Budget and Management to immediately release the necessary funds for the relief operations following the onslaught of Tropical Storm Kristine. 

This, as he ordered Cabinet Secretaries to lead relief and rehabilitation work in specific areas affected by Kristine. 

“I have ordered the DBM Secretary to immediately release all necessary funds so that needed resources can be procured expeditiously,” Marcos said in a statement. 

He also ensured that the Department of Social Welfare and Development would rush to all affected areas to provide relief goods, both pre-positioned and new supplies to augment those provided by the local government units. 

The DSWD will also mobilize the grant of financial aid under existing government programs. 

Further, the Department of Agriculture has been ordered to implement a quick planting and production turnaround plan to help farmers affected by the bad weather. 

Meanwhile, the Department of Public Works and Highways has been under orders to undertake emergency road clearing operations.

In a situational briefing, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said the NDRRM Fund has a total available balance of P1.983 billion, of which, P1.845 billion is from the 2024 General Appropriations Act and the remaining P139 million from 2023 Continuing Appropriations.

She said that if additional funds are needed, the government can tap the unprogrammed appropriations.

''Rest assured,  Mr. President and members of  the Cabinet, that the DBM remains unwavering in the commitment to provide funds to the agencies that require support for programs focused on immediate disaster response and rehabilitation, Mr. President,'' Pangandaman said.

The reported death toll due to Kristine has climbed to 26 on Friday from the previous day's 20, according to Police Regional Office 5 (PRO-5).

The PRO-5 also said that three people were reported missing and nine were reported injured in the region as of 3 a.m.

A total of 314,309 people (106,303 families) were staying in evacuation centers as 586 barangays were flooded, most of them, or 540, were in Camarines Sur.—VAL/AOL, GMA Integrated News