The government has standby funds to ramp up relief efforts in disaster-stricken areas following the natural calamities that battered the country in the past few months, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said Thursday.

Pangandaman’s statement came after President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday said the Quick Response Fund (QRF) has been depleted because of the severe effects of the onslaught of the recent tropical cyclones.

“’Yung Quick Response Fund po kasi, ito po ‘yung naka-divide sa iba’t-ibang ahensya (The Quick Response Fund is the one that is divided among different agencies),” Pangandaman said in a statement.

The QRF is a built-in standby fund used to cover preparatory activities, relief and rehabilitation in case of disasters and calamities.

Pangandaman noted that as of Oct. 24, about half of the PHP30 billion worth of QRF had already been used.

She said government agencies such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) are already requesting for the replenishment of their respective QRFs since they were able to fully obligate the funds.

She said other agencies’ QRFs have not yet been depleted.

Under the 2024 General Appropriations Act, the existing National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (NDRRMF) balance can be used for QRF augmentation.

Government agencies may ask the DBM to replenish their QRF, once they are able to utilize at least 50 percent of their QRF.

Pangandaman said concerned agencies may tap other available sources, including the Contingent Fund, Unprogrammed Appropriations, and Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) to augment their QRFs.

“Ang magandang balita naman po dito is meron pa po tayong Contingent Fund. More or less meron pa po tayo diyang PHP7 billion. So, ‘yan po ang pinaka-unang source na puwede nating gamitin (The good news is we have a Contingent Fund. More or less, we have PHP7 billion. That’s the first source we can use),” she said.

Pangandaman said government agencies may also use available funds on their existing regular projects and programs to aid disaster relief and response.

She cited the DSWD’s Assistance to Individuals In Crisis Situations and the DPWH’s budget for the maintenance of projects and programs.

Pangandaman assured the public that there are still existing standby funds under the Unprogrammed Appropriations which the government may tap, in case the Contingent Fund would run out

She said local government units (LGUs) may also ask the DBM for the provision of the Local Government Support Fund – Financial Assistance (LGSF-FA).

Under Local Budget Circular 155, the LGSF-FA to LGUs shall be used for financial assistance to local government units for various projects, including the implementation of programs, projects, and activities for disaster response, rehabilitation, and recovery, including procurement or acquisition of disaster equipment and vehicles for disaster response and rescue activities. (PNA)