The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has released additional funds to local government units (LGUs) and frontline agencies to aid their operations in addressing the damages caused by Typhoon Odette.
In a statement, the DBM said it has disbursed P1.83 billion in funding, bringing the government’s total releases to assist hard-stricken areas affected by Typhoon Odette to P2.83 billion as of Dec. 27.
Of the P1.83 billion, P1 billion have been released to LGUs. Breaking down, Region IV-B received P84.38 million, while Region VI got P248.35 million, Region VII also secured P202.66 million, while Region VIII has P115.43 million, Region X with P84.37 million and 264.81 million for Region XIII.
DBM said the allocations were computed based on the number of affected households and on the proportionate amount of damages incurred by Typhoon Odette on the region’s infrastructure and agricultural sectors.
“The total funding requirement was also charged from the FY 2021 Contingent Fund and shall similarly be downloaded to the respective authorized government servicing banks of the LGUs by the Bureau of the Treasury,” DBM said.
To date, the DBM has released P2 billion to assist hard-stricken LGUs.
In addition, the DBM also released P827.18 million to frontline agencies for the replenishment of their respective Quick Response Fund (QRF), in line with the recent onslaught of Typhoon Odette.
These include the Office of Civil Defense with P139.68 million, Philippine National Police with P25 million and the Department of Social Welfare and Development with P662.5 million.
The total funding requirement was charged from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund, or commonly known as “calamity fund”.
“This can be used for aid, relief and rehabilitation services for communities affected by natural calamities, among others,” DBM said.
The QRF is a built-in standby fund in selected agencies which can be tapped to immediately address the adverse effects and damages brought about by catastrophes and crises.
When the QRF gets depleted, the concerned agencies may request for augmentation of funds to the DBM through a special budget request and subject to the approval of the Office of the President.