Abad: Gov’t has ‘ample emergency funds’

Budget Secretary Florencio Abad. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Budget Secretary Florencio Abad assured on Monday that the government has “ample emergency funds on the ready” for 2014 and 2015 to respond to   disasters like Tropical Storm Ruby that is now battering the country.

“Preparation is critical in ensuring the safety of Filipinos in the face of natural disasters. The current year’s budget can fully support emergency operations as they’re needed, especially in the wake of Ruby,” Abad said in a statement.

“To date, the national and local governments have been working together to ensure that pre- and post-disaster activities are executed well,” he said.

Abad said a total of P5.34 billion Quick Response Funds (QRFs) from various government agencies is ready to use while additional funds amounting to a total of P21.51 billion would also be made available for relief and rehabilitation under the proposed 2015 national budget.

Below is the breakdown of the QRFs per department:

Abad explained that the QRFs are released at the start of the year as part of the General Appropriations Act (GAA)-as-release document regime, allowing government agencies to make immediate use of funds for emergency response functions.

“In view of Tropical Storm Ruby, the DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) received replenishment of funds worth P650 million for its QRF last Friday,” he said.

Additional funds, he said, would also be made available for relief and rehabilitation efforts once the 2015 national budget is approved by Congress and signed by the President.

Below is the breakdown of the fund sources under the proposed 2015 national budget:

“The administration isn’t acting alone here. Aid organizations, citizen groups, and ordinary Filipinos are all pitching in so we can weather this latest calamity,” the Budget chief added.