Unprogrammed funds, maaaring gamitin para sa relief ops- DBM

MAAARING gamitin ang ‘unprogrammed funds’ kapag kinapos ang available disaster funds na inilaan para sa ‘response efforts’ sa naging pananalasa ng Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name Trami).

“Assuming we need more funding, we can tap the unprogrammed appropriations,” ang sinabi ni Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman kay Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. sa isang situation briefing sa Palasyo ng Malakanyang, araw ng Biyernes, Oktubre 25.

“Rest assured, Mr. President and members of the Cabinet, that the DBM remains unwavering in the commitment to provide funds to the agencies that require support or programs focused on immediate disaster response and rehabilitation,” ang sinabi pa rin ng Kalihim.

“As of October 2024,’ ang National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (NDRRMF) ay mayroong kabuuang available balance na P1,983,059,181, ayon sa data na inilabas ng DBM.

Aniya pa, mayroong pending request para sa DBM na ipalabas ang Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) para ilaan bilang available NDRRMF funds para sa replenishment o muling pagdaragdag sa Quick Response Fund (QRF).

Winika pa nito na humihirit ang Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) ng P1 billion, habang ang hirit naman ng Philippine National Police (PNP) ay P25 milyong piso habang ang Office of Civil Defense ay humihirit ng P37.5 milyong piso.

“The available balance of the NDRRMF after the issuance of SARO for these QRF augmentation requests will be PHP921.4 million,” ayon pa rin sa Kalihim.

Sa kabilang dako, nagbigay din si Pangandaman ng update sa status ng QRF, sabay sabing ang PNP ang tanging ahensiya na may kakayahan na ‘fully obligate’ ang QRF nito na nagkakahalaga ng P58 million.

Ang Department of Education (DepEd), nakatanggap ng pinakamataas na QRF allocation na P3.5 billion, naitala ang pangalawang pinakamababang utilization rate, may 7.3% lamang.

Ang DepEd aniya ay mayroon pa ring mahigit sa P3 billion na maaaring gamitin para kumpunihin ang mga school buildings na nasira sa panahon ng pananalasa ng bagyong Kristine.

Ang Department of Agriculture ay mayroon pa rin namang mahigit na P1.5 bilyong halaga ng WRF na maaaring gamitin para sa disaster response kasunod ng pananalasa ng bagyong Kristine.

“the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (LDRRMF) could also be used to support disaster risk management activities, including pre-disaster preparedness programs, and post-disaster activities,” ayon kay Pangandaman.

Ang LDRRMF, aniya pa rin ay maaaring ilaan para sa pagbabayad ng premiums sa calamity insurance.

“all government departments, bureaus, and offices are also authorized to use a portion of their appropriations to implement projects designed to address disaster risk-related activities, in accordance with guidelines issued by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council,” ang sinabi pa rin ng Kalihim.

“Another source could be the Contingent Fund. It has a balance of P10.33 billion to date, Mr. President. The appropriation may be utilized for the funding requirements of new and urgent activities or projects of the national governments, agencies, GOCCs, local government units,” anito.

Samantala, ipinag-utos naman ni Pangulong Marcos kay Pangandaman na bilisan ang pagpapalabas ng lahat ng kinakailangang pondo na gagamitin para sa agarang pagbili ng kakailanganing resources sa mga lugar na binayo ng bagyong Kristine.

Sa situation briefing, ipinag-utos ni Pangulong Marcos sa mga kinauukulang ahensiya ng pamahalaan na maging “more creative and be able to maximize our resources.”

“Just keep me informed and whatever problems arise, just raise them up with me. If not, actually, among yourselves, if you can solve it, just do it that way as quickly as possible. Just remember, there are people still in water right now. They are still flooded. They are walking around with water,” ang sinabi ni Pangandaman.

“They have no water supply. They have no food. They have no place to stay. So, if you think you’re tired, think of what their condition is. So, let us always keep that in mind.” ang pahayag ng Kalihim. (Daris Jose)