Naga allots P57-M for Bayanihan expenses

NAGA CITY --- The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) here has enacted on Apr. 14 during its regular session the ordinance allocating P57,647,395 from the city’s general fund for expenses to be incurred under Republic Act No. 11469 or the the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, which amount will be charged to the national government grant to cities and municipalities.

The appropriation of funds came after the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) issued a local budget circular, which defines the guidelines on the release and utilization of the grant as mandated by RA 11469.

The circular issued on Apr, 7 directed local chief executives, members of the Sanggunian, budget officers, treasurers, planning and development coordinators, accountants of all local government units to spend the funds exclusively for Covid-19 related expenses.

Under the Bayanihan grant, the amount shall only be spent for the following expenses:

procurement of: personal protective equipment; reagents and kits for COVID-19 testing; medicines and vitamins; hospital equipment and supplies; disinfectants, sprayers, disinfection tents and other disinfecting supplies and misting equipment; food, transportation (including fuel), and accommodation expenses of medical personnel; and expenses of other local government personnel directly involved in the implementation of Covid-19-related activities.

Allowable expenses also include: food assistance and other relief goods for affected households; construction/repair/lease/rental of additional space/building to accommodate Covid-19 patients and persons under monitoring/investigation; and operation of stand-alone/mobile testing laboratory;

Also, expenses for the: purchase/rental of tents/spaces for temporary shelters of the homeless; training of personnel in the conduct of Covid-19 testing and other related trainings; and other related programs, projects, and activities.

The city government, based on the recommendation of Mayor Nelson Legacion, is set to purchase P42,879,920 worth of rice as part of its rice allocation project. The budget will allow the city to procure more than 22,000 bags of rice, which are to be distributed at five kilos per household member.

The SP committee on children also endorsed the procurement of P850,000 worth of milk and vitamins for 1,158 infants aged six to 12-month old and 1,592 young children aged one to two year-old.

A testing facility for Covid-19 cases is also being planned to be constructed after the Sangguniang Panlungsod committee on health chaired by Councilor Sonny Rañola endorsed the appropriation of funds from the P57 million grant for such undertaking.