Assalamu alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.

Typhoons “Tino” and “Uwan” brought powerful winds and heavy rains that sent roofs flying, toppled trees, triggered flash floods and landslides, and left survivors with flattened homes and properties submerged in mud.

Among the hardest-hit areas of these typhoons is the Province of Dinagat Islands, particularly the Municipalities of Loreto and Tubajon. In Loreto, the calamity left 590 totally damaged and 2,009 partially damaged homes in 10 barangays, with ₱917,000 estimated damage to agriculture. Meanwhile, Tubajon recorded 47 totally damaged and 1,345 partially damaged homes in nine barangays, and an estimated ₱9.529 million damage to agriculture. The municipality is experiencing a total power outage, with no communications line available, and a widespread interruption of water supply.

Thus, last Nov. 12, 2025, we at the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), together with partner agencies—the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Office of Civil Defense (OCD), and Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), accompanied by municipal and provincial government officials—visited the two municipalities to extend assistance and assess the situation on the ground. The activity was in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive for government agencies to personally oversee relief and recovery efforts in typhoon-hit areas and ensure the swift recovery of affected communities, even in the farthest parts of the country, particularly Mindanao.

Our team distributed around 2,600 family food packs and 250 tents from DSWD, as well as 397 non-food family packs from the OCD. In partnership with the DICT, we donated five Starlink units to schools—Tubajon Central Elementary School, Trinidad Mapa-Gupana (TMG) High School, Brgy. Liberty Elementary School, Loreto Central Elementary School, and Loreto National High School—ensuring fast and reliable internet access for students and their teachers.

During our inspection, I underscored that affected local government units (LGUs) may request additional funding from the DBM, under the Local Government Support Fund, to restore and rebuild damaged houses, thereby speeding up recovery and restoration efforts. Further, I emphasized that we would continue to ensure that concerned agencies have sufficient funding for relief and rehabilitation operations.

In fact, last week, we announced the release of ₱1.684 billion to replenish the Quick Response Funds (QRF) of the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and the DSWD.

For those unfamiliar with the term, QRFs are built-in standby funds allocated to agencies so they may immediately assist areas stricken by catastrophes and crises. Unlike the Calamity Fund, the QRF does not require the recommendation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council or the approval of the Office of the President to trigger the use and release of funds. Once agencies have used at least 50 percent of their QRF, they may request replenishment at the DBM.

Of the total amount, P1 billion has been released to the DA to strengthen its recovery and rehabilitation programs in regions affected by African Swine Fever and recent tropical cyclones, and as a stand-by resource for agricultural recovery efforts in anticipation of future disasters. Under the Special Provision of the FY 2025 General Appropriations Act, the DA’s QRF will fund the provision of inputs for crops, livestock, poultry, and fisheries; repair of production and post-production facilities; and cash aid or tools for affected farmers and fishers.

The DBM also issued ₱53.007 million to the PCG to boost its relief, rehabilitation, and search and rescue operations during calamities. We all know that the PCG is always ready to save lives during emergencies. I believe that during these times, they also need our support.

Meanwhile, ₱631.023 million was released to the DSWD to replenish its 2025 QRF to fund the procurement of Family Food Packs and Non-Food Items, stockpiling of relief goods, and emergency cash transfers to 58,962 families affected by earthquakes and storms across several provinces. It will also cover warehouse rentals, administrative costs, and stand-by funds for DSWD regional offices, ensuring that our affected kababayans will continue to receive needed financial aid, relief goods, and livelihood support to help them recover from disasters. In this regard, we ask the DSWD to ensure that this will immediately be provided to typhoon victims so they may go back to their normal daily lives. In addition to the ₱631.023 million, the DBM had earlier released a total of ₱1.982 billion to the DSWD in October for QRF replenishment.

And, as of Nov. 10, 2025, we have released a total of ₱23.789 billion to various frontline agencies under the FYs 2024 and 2025 National Budget. Of this, almost ₱13.962 billion has been obligated, with a balance of almost ₱9.827 billion. Hence, we assure that agencies still have enough QRF funds they may use in cases of calamities and other emergencies until the year-end.

Beyond budget, more than the devastation caused by the typhoons, we saw the strength and resilience of the Dinagatnons. But they need support. Rest assured that the PBBM administration will remain steadfast in assisting families and communities to help them rebuild faster. Through a whole-of-government and whole-of-nation approach, we can and will rise together—our Bagong Pilipinas stronger, with no one left behind.