BOGO CITY, Cebu – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday said he would ask Congress to allocate additional emergency funds to replenish the government’s Quick Response Fund (QRF), which has been heavily depleted following successive disasters in the country.

“Coming from Masbate, coming from Cebu, I will be going to the Congress, the House and the Senate para makapagbigay sila ng emergency funds,” Marcos said during a situation briefing in Bogo City after the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck Cebu on September 30.

The President noted that the QRFs of various agencies are almost exhausted after the government extended assistance to communities affected by Super Typhoon Nando, Typhoon Opong, and the recent earthquake. He said he has directed Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman to arrange the immediate release of funds.

“’Yung mga QRF ng ibang mga agencies, paubos na. So, magre-release tayo ng QRF, ‘yung Quick Response Fund… para mayroon kayong magamit. We will have it released as quickly as possible,” he said.

On Wednesday, Marcos visited Masbate, which was heavily affected by Typhoon Opong, before proceeding to Bogo City the following day to assess the situation in areas near the earthquake’s epicenter.

The President announced that the Office of the President would donate PhP50 million to the Cebu provincial government, PhP20 million each to Bogo City, Sogod, and San Remigio, and PhP10 million each to the municipalities of Bantayan, Daanbantayan, Madridejos, Medellin, Santa Fe, Tabogon, and Tabuela.

He also ordered the release of PhP20 million each to Department of Health hospitals and PhP5 million each to provincial hospitals, and directed the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to release PhP150 million in Local Government Support Fund for Cebu province, and PhP75 million each for Bogo City, San Remigio, and Medellin.

The QRF serves as a standby fund for disaster-stricken areas and can be replenished through the approval of the President or the DBM.