Deputy Speaker and Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin on Monday urged Congress to closely examine the Quick Response Funds (QRFs) of government agencies in the proposed 2027 national budget to ensure immediate delivery of basic services during calamities.
Speaking during an online press briefing, Garin said Speaker Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III and Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” A. Marcos are coordinating with national agencies to identify needs and funding gaps exposed by recent heavy rains and flooding, just ahead of the Executive branch’s submission of the proposed 2027 National Expenditure Program to Congress this week.
“‘Yung quick response fund ng bawat ahensya, napakaimportante noon. So, ‘yan ‘yung isa naming titingnan kung saan ba pinaggagastusan,” Garin said.
The former health secretary noted that QRFs are vital for urgent medical needs during disasters, including medicines for flood-related illnesses, safe drinking water supplies, and vaccines for evacuees.
“Ito ay pwedeng paggastusan ng quick response fund, lalo’t lalo na kapag sila ay nangangailangan ng mga anti-tetanus shots and everything, ‘yung mga bakuna na kailangan sa evacuation centers,” she explained, adding that Congress must streamline procedures for faster service delivery.
“Personally, we would like to look at how, paano, ano ang pwedeng proseso na magkaroon ng immediate na pagtugon sa basic services like provision of clean water, restoration of lines, and of course, ‘yung immediate repair and accessibility,” Garin said.
She highlighted the need to assist small municipalities with damaged critical infrastructure like hanging bridges, citing a recent House leadership partnership with the labor department to deploy TUPAD workers for local repair work.
“‘Yung mga materials ay nanggagaling sa LGU o sa barangay para sa immediate repair, at ‘yung manpower naman ay siniswelduhan ng DOLE,” Garin said. “‘Yung partnership na ‘yun ay nakakapagpaayos agad-agad ng mga nasira o ‘yung mga nabara na mga overflow bridges at hanging bridges.”