The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) announced on Thursday that it stands ready to provide support in assisting fellow citizens who may face the devastating impact of Super Typhoon "Betty," internationally known as "Mawar".
DBM Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman assured that the government is fully prepared to allocate the necessary disaster rescue and relief operations budget.
“Our government is prepared. We are ready to support all operations for disaster rescue and relief with the necessary budget. Identified frontline government agencies may mobilize their Quick Response Fund (QRF) allocated in their respective budgets,” she said.
In the aftermath of the typhoon, if required, agencies can access the available National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (NDRRMF) under the FY 2023 General Appropriations Act (GAA).
However, access to this fund will be granted only after the completion of the damage assessment and recommendation by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), followed by the approval of the President.
The NDRRMF can be utilized for various purposes, including providing aid, relief, and rehabilitation services to affected communities.
It can also be used for repair, rehabilitation, and reconstruction efforts in response to natural or human-induced calamities that have occurred in the current or preceding two years.
Moreover, the NDRRMF serves as an additional source of funding for QRF agencies when the balance reaches 50%, subject to the approval of the DBM.
According to the latest data, the government still has a substantial amount of P18.3 billion in the calamity fund, which includes a carryover of P1.5 billion from the previous year's budget.
These funds can be utilized for various disaster relief operations until 2023.
From January 2023 until now, approximately P3.9 billion has already been released from the calamity fund.
As "Mawar" intensifies into a super typhoon while advancing across the Pacific Ocean, it is expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) between Friday evening and Saturday morning, and will be named "Betty."
