IN THE KNOW: Quick Response Funds
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) says Quick Response Funds (QRF) are “built-in budgetary allocations that represent predisaster or standby funds for agencies in order to immediately assist areas stricken by catastrophes and crises.” The QRF can be used for DRR.
The QRF is lodged in the budgets of public works and highways, national defense, education, social welfare, agriculture, and civil defense departments.
During calamities, local government units (LGUs) can also tap at least 5 percent of their local revenues “to support disaster risk management activities,” Section 21 of the PDRRMA says.
In the 2016 General Appropriations Act, Congress provided for QRF of P6.2 billion and Calamity Fund (CF) of P9 billion.
As of Sept. 30, 2016, the unused National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (NDRRMF) stands at P18.433 billion (from the original allocation of P18.896 billion).
As of June 30, the unspent allocation for Yolanda housing assistance stands at P20.7 billion (from P25.6 billion).
The remaining balance of the NDRRMF for 2015 and 2016: P2.548 billion (2015) and P32.968 billion (2016).
Sources: Office of Sen. Loren Legarda, Senate finance committee, GAA of 2016 (section on NDRRMF) and DBM
