By Mario B. Casayuran Senator Christopher Lawrence Go, chairman of the Senate health and demography committee, yesterday appealed to the executive branch to extend a one-time ‘Bayanihan’ financial assistance to cities and municipalities to cushion the socio-economic impact on the most needy and marginalized sectors of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak. Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go
(Facebook / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN) Go said that a one-time grant from the national government, equivalent to one month of the LGUs’ internal revenue allotments (IRA), will go a long way in enhancing their capabilities to respond to the crisis. “Tulungan dapat ang mga local government units (LGUs) na maalagaan ang mga komunidad nila sa panahong ito. Malaking tulong kung mabigyan sila ng dagdag na pondo para mapunan ang lumalaking pangangailangan ng mga tao ngayon,” Go, committee chairman, said. (LGUs must be helped in looking after their communities during this critical time. It would be a big help if the national government will extend financial assistance to fill the growing needs of the people in this period of emergency.) Go said that while the national government is taking charge in this time of crisis, LGUs must take responsibility as well in addressing the needs of their constituents. “Salamat sa mga LGUs, governors, vice governors, mayors, vice mayors, barangay officials na nag-aasikaso sa kanilang mga constituents. As elected officials, we must do everything we can to be of service to the people,” he said. (We thank the LGUs, governors, vice governors, mayors, vice mayors, barangay officials who are taking care of their constituents.) “Sa laki ng problemang kinakaharap natin, baka kukulangin ang kasalukuyang pondo ng ating mga LGU. Hindi naman po lahat ng LGUs ay pantay-pantay pagdating sa pondo. Kailangan rin nila ng tulong mula sa national government,” Go explained. (LGUs might run out of funds as the COVID-19 puts a strain on their finances. Our LGUs are not uniformly capable in terms of financial resources.) Go emphasized that the Bayanihan Act has already given the authority and flexibility to the government to utilize the funds needed to respond adequately to the national health emergency. As a member of the Joint Oversight Committee of the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, Go said he will ensure that funds are used properly. Go said the one-time grant may be released through the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) using the same bank accounts for the IRA shares of the LGUs.”. Only cities and municipalities should be given financial assistance to avoid duplication, he said. Go stressed that the grant should be used exclusively for projects, programs and activities concerning the COVID-19 situation, such as procurement of personal protective equipment for frontline service providers; medicines and vitamins; hospital equipment and supplies; disinfectants and related equipment; relief goods for low-income and vulnerable households; and tents for temporary shelter of the homeless. He further proposed that the grant might also be used for food, transportation and accommodation expenses of medical personnel and other LGU personnel involved in activities related to the COVID-19 situation; lease or rental of quarantine centers; and other necessary expenses. “Siyempre, siguraduhin natin na gagamitin lang ang pondo sa layunin nito at hindi ito mapunta sa katiwalian. Ipagbawal nating gamitin ito sa suweldo ng mga personnel, pambili ng motor vehicles, at mga administrative at traveling expenses na wala namang kinalaman sa COVID-19 situation,” Go emphasized. (We should make sure that these funds should not be pocketed by grafters. These funds should not be used for personnel, vehicle purchases, administrative and traveling expenses that have nothing to do with COVID-19.) He clarified that the grant should be on top of other assistance that national government agencies are already providing to LGUs on a regular basis. Go reminded LGUs to make sure that the assistance reaches those who need government help the most, particularly the poorest of the poor, vulnerable sectors and displaced workers. He added that politics should not be a factor in providing such assistance. “Wala naman po kasing dapat pinipiling oras o kulay ang pagtulong sa kapwa kaya siguraduhin nalang po natin na makarating ito sa pinaka-mahihirap at pinaka-nangangailangan,” he added. (Our help has no political color. Let us ensure that the funds go to the poor and the needy.)