MANILA, PHILIPPINES – The Philippine government under the Aquino administration is prepared to provide quick relief to quake-stricken areas, adding that P1 billion from the 2013 Calamity and Contingency funds are ready to support the aid requirements of all affected families and communities.
This was the reassurance Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad gave in the wake of the 7.2-magnitude earthquake that rocked several parts of Visayas and Mindanao.
Abad added that approximately P2.3 billion in Quick Response Funds (QRFs) under various implementing agencies can also be mobilized to provide immediate assistance and support to all displaced and affected families.
The secretary said that they are completely attuned to the urgent plight of families and communities in areas damaged by the quake. According to him, the administration is already tapping the proper fund sources to provide quick and sufficient assistance to those affected by this disaster.
The Budget chief also reported that a request has been sent to President Benigno S. Aquino III to draw additional calamity funds from government savings.
Abad further said that they “have identified sources in our savings to efficiently augment both our Calamity and Contingent funds to provide additional support as needed. This request will still require the President’s approval. As far as funding the relief and rehabilitation operations in Bohol and Cebu is concerned, we shouldn’t meet any problems, as the government is fully prepared to deliver swift relief assistance wherever it’s needed.”
Finally, Abad said that the Contingency and Calamity funds — with remaining balances of P824 million and P176 million, respectively—are designed to implement urgent projects and services to support relief and rehabilitation efforts to communities and areas affected by natural calamities, disasters, or humanitarian emergencies, among others.
