By Mario Casayuran Senator Christopher Lawrence ‘’Bong’’ Go on Wednesday urged local government units (LGUs) to use the ‘’Bayanihan’’ financial assistance properly to help the poor and the frontliners fighting the deadly coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong’’ Go
(Office of Senator Bong Go / MANILA BULLETIN) Go made the call following a move to provide a one-time “Bayanihan” financial assistance to LGUs to help them respond to the increasing needs of their respective constituents. As recommended by Go based on the appeal of various LGUs, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) is now set to release P30.824 billion in cash to help LGUs cope with the growing needs of their constituents and the economic blow brought about by the COVID-19 health emergency to the local communities. “Ang gobyernong lokal ang humaharap mismo sa araw-araw na problema ng kanilang mga nasasakupan. Tama lang na bigyan ng karagdagang pondo ang ating mga LGUs lalo na sa panahon ngayon na maraming walang trabaho at maraming umaasa sa ayuda mula sa gobyerno,” Go said. (LGUs face daily the viral threat in their own jurisdictions. It is but right that they be given additional funds as there are many without jobs and are dependent on government assistance.) “Ang pondong ito ay magbibigay ng dagdag na kapasidad sa LGUs na tumugon sa pangangailangan ng kanilang komunidad. Siguraduhin natin na walang magugutom para hindi magkagulo at maging cooperative ang mga tao. Malaking tulong ito para masiguro ang kapayapaan at kaayusan sa panahon ng krisis,” he added. (These funds would help LGUs in addressing the needs of their communities. Let us make sure that there is no hunger to avoid violence and make sure people cooperate. The funds would go a long way making our communities peaceful and orderly during this critical time.) As a member of the Joint Congressional Oversight Committee overseeing the implementation of the ‘’Bayanihan to Heal as One Act,’’ Go reminded LGUs to utilize the funds properly to provide immediate aid to affected Filipino families. He also emphasized that it must be done in a transparent manner with an assurance that the assistance reaches those who need help the most. “Sa panahong ito, konsensya niyo na lamang ang tututok sa inyo. Siguraduhin natin na magamit ang pondo nang tama, walang masayang, at maramdaman ng mga tao kahit sa malalayong lugar ang tulong mula sa gobyerno,” Go said. (Let your conscience guide you during this critical period. Ensure that the funds are used properly, no wastage and are felt by people who live far from government agencies.) Go stressed that the grant should be used exclusively for projects, programs and activities concerning the COVID-19 situation on top of what the national government is providing. He said LGUs could use the fund for 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. “Dapat magtulungan ang LGUs at national government agencies, pati na rin ang private sector, para matapalan kung ano man ang magiging kulang sa mga kailangan ng taumbayan,” he emphasized. (The national government and LGUs should help each other, including the private sector, in adding what are the requirements of the populace.) Go earlier, recommended that the one-time “Bayanihan” financial assistance could be equivalent to LGUs’ one-month Internal Revenue Allotments (IRAs). Such assistance would be limited to cities and municipalities, since provinces and barangays have similar constituencies, he explained. Go stressed that not all LGUs are created equal. Smaller, poorer and far-flung LGUs with fewer tax collections may already be financially constrained. “Lalo na ngayon, maraming mga tao sa malalayong lugar ang hindi pa tuluyang naabutan ng tulong mula sa national government. Nahihirapan na rin ang LGUs nila na rumesponde sa mga pangangailangan ng kanilang mga nasasakupan,” Go added. (There are many people in far-flung areas that have not yet been given assistance from the national government. LGUs are also hard pressed in responding to the needs in their areas.) Several representatives of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) have previously expressed their support for Go’s proposal as a number of LGUs were already running low on funds needed to combat COVID-19. A manifesto by LMP National President, Mayor Luis “Chavit” Singson, states that in these times of crises, “such initiatives are necessary to alleviate the burden of answering to the needs of our people.” “This financial grant would be of valuable assistance to the continuous and unhampered delivery of services to our constituents, medical personnel and other LGU personnel and activities designated to address the ongoing crisis,” the LMP manifesto stated. Other regional LMP presidents have also shared the same manifesto, encouraging the national government to help them cope with the current health emergency that has affected Filipinos nationwide.