The Department of Budget and Management released Php 5 billion to augment the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program of the Department of Social and Welfare Development.
In accordance with the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to immediately respond to the needs of communities ravaged by natural disasters, DBM Sec. Amenah Pangandaman approved the release of Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) and the corresponding Notice of Cash Allocation (NCA).
"Hindi natin maikakaila ang matinding epekto ng climate crisis dito sa Pilipinas. Dumaan ang bagyong Nika, Ofel, Pepito, at marami pa ang parating. Ang dagdag pondong ito sa DSWD ay para sa ating mga kababayan na apektado ng krisis," Pangandaman said on Monday, November 18, in a press release.
(We cannot deny the severe effects of the climate crisis to the Philippines. Tropical Cyclones Nika, Ofel, Pepito elapsed and many more will follow. The additional funds of the DSWD is for our countrymen affected by crisis)
"Through this, we are sustaining support for vulnerable and marginalized communities. We are bridging the resource gap required for extensive disaster recovery and sustained support throughout the nation," the DBM chief added,
DBM stressed the importance of AICS, a social welfare service program of DSWD that provides medical assistance, burial, transportation, education, food, or financial assistance to people in crisis.
"Ang alokasyon ng karagdagang pondong ito ay alinsunod sa special provisions sa 2024 General Appropriations Act (GAA) ukol sa paggamit ng Unprogrammed Appropriations (UA)," DBM explained.
(The allocation of additional funds falls under the special provisions of the 2024 General Appropriations Act on the use of Unprogrammed Appropriations.)
"Pinahihintulutan ng mga probisyong ito ang paggamit ng pondo para sa mahahalagang imprastraktura at social programs, kabilang ang tulong pinansyal para sa mga lubos na nangangailangang mamamayan, batay sa pagkakaroon ng bagong kita o labis na revenue collections," the agency added.
(These provisions allow the use of funds for important infrastructure and social programs, including financial assistance to indigent citizens, based on the availability of new revenues or excess revenue collections.)
On November 14, the DBM also approved the Php 875 million replenishment for the quick response fund of the DSWD.
Pangandaman said that the replenishment will come from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (NDRRM) Fund outlined in the 2024 General Appropriations Act.
