DBM OKs release of P1.684-B quick response funds to DA, DSWD, PCG

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on Monday said it has approved the release of P1.684-billion of quick response funds (QRF) of the Departments of Agriculture (DA) and Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to expedite recovery and rehabilitation efforts.

According to the DBM, P1 billion will be released to the DA to for recovery and rehabilitation programs in regions affected by the African swine fever and recent tropical cyclones. It will also be a standby resource for agricultural recovery efforts in anticipation of future disasters, including Typhoon Uwan (international name: Fung-wong).

“Malaki ang damage ng mga bagyo at sakuna sa ating agrikultura at ang numero uno pong biktima niyan ‘yung ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda,” Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said in an advisory.

“Kaya sa hiling po ng DA na i-replenish ‘yung kanilang QRF, agad na inaprubahan po natin ‘yan, in anticipation also of other weather disturbances this year, lalo na at may paparating tayong super typhoon,” she added.

(Typhoons and natural disasters cause massive damage to our agriculture, and the number one victims are our farmers and fishers… That’s why, upon the request of the Department of Agriculture to replenish their QRF, we immediately approved it, also in anticipation of other weather disturbances this year, especially with a super typhoon on the way.)

Some P631.023 million was also released to the DSWD to replenish its QRF to finance the procurement of family food packs and non-food items, and the stockpiling of relief goods. The DBM earlier released P1.982 billion to the DSWD’s QRF replenishment in October.

This will also cover the emergency cash transfers to 58,962 families affected by earthquakes and storms across the country, and warehouse rentals, administrative costs, and standby funds for DSWD regional offices.

“This replenishment of QRF for DSWD will ensure that our affected kababayans continue to receive needed financial aid, relief goods, and livelihood to help them recover from disasters,” Pangandaman said.

“Ang pakiusap po natin sa DSWD, agad din po sana ‘yang makarating sa mga kababayang nasalanta para makabalik sa normal ang kanilang pamumuhay,” she added.

(Our request to the DSWD is to ensure that assistance immediately reaches our affected countrymen so they can return to their normal lives.)

The DBM said it also issued P53.007 million to the PCG for its relief, rehabilitation, and search and rescue operations.

“Alam naman natin na sa oras ng sakuna, nandiyan palagi ang ating Philippine Coast Guard—handang magligtas ng buhay ng maraming nating kababayang nasa peligro,” Pangandaman said.

“During these times, mas kailangan nila ng ating tulong at suporta,” she emphasized.

(We all know that during times of disaster, our Philippine Coast Guard is always there — ready to save the lives of many of our countrymen in danger… During these times, they need our help and support even more.)

Uwan weakened into a typhoon early Monday morning, but tropical cyclone wind signals remain raised over several areas in the country.

LIVE UPDATES: Typhoon Uwan (Fung-Wong), Nov. 10, 2025

State weather bureau PAGASA earlier warned of the high risk of life-threatening and damaging storm surges that could have heights over 3 meters within the next 12 hours over the low-lying or exposed coastal communities of the Iloco Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Metro Manila, CALABARZON, most of MIMAROPA, Aklan, and Antique.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. earlier declared a one-year state of national calamity, due to Typhoon Tino which battered the Visayas Island.—AOL, GMA Integrated News