Gov't reminds LGUs to use Bayanihan grant only for healthcare needs
Published Apr 20, 2020 03:21 am
By Genalyn Kabiling
The government has reminded local government units to use the Bayanihan Grant to Provinces (BGP) only for healthcare efforts and other measures to help address the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles
(PCOO / MANILA BULLETIN) Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said local government units must also observe existing procurement, accounting, and auditing rules and regulations in the use of Bayanihan funds given by the national government. The Department of Budget and Management recently released P6.197 billion for the one-time financial assistance to provinces to help deal with the pandemic. This is equivalent to one half of the one-month 2020 internal revenue allotment share of 81 provinces around the country. "Saan po pwedeng gamitin ang BGP? Pwede po itong gamitin na dagdag-pondo para sa mga ospital na pinapatakbo ng provincial government, para sa COVID-19-related expenses tulad ng pambili ng personal protective equipment; para sa equipment, reagents, at kits para sa COVID-19 testing; para sa gamot at bitamina; at para sa hospital equipment at supplies; para pambili ng disinfectants, sprayers, at ibang disinfecting supplies at misting equipment(Where can the BGP be used? The additional funds can be used for hospitals operated by the provincial government for COVID-19 related expenses like procurement of personal protective equipment; equipment, reagents and kits for COVID-19 testing, medicines and vitamins; hospital equipment and supplies; disinfectants, sprayers and other disinfecting supplies and misting equipment)," Nograles said during a virtual press conference on Monday. He said the Bayanihan grant may also be used for food, transportation, and accommodation expenses of health workers and personnel in hospitals operated by the provincial government. The funds can also bankroll the construction, repair, lease, and rental expenses for additional space or building to accommodate confirmed or suspected coronavirus cases as well as the training of medical personnel related to coronavirus response. According to Nograles, the Bayanihan resources may also be tapped for the operation and maintenance of duly established provincial checkpoints related to COVID-19. The expenses include provision of food, medicines and vitamins, personal protective equipment sets, and disinfecting supplies for the exclusive use of provincial government employees and concerned personnel. The budget department recently issued a circular on the guidelines on the disbursement of the one-time Bayanihan grant to provinces. The funds are intended to support the government's efforts in responding to the pandemic. "The use of the BGP for the specified purpose shall augment, and not duplicate, the funds allocated for National Government agencies like the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, among others," the DBM said. The Bayanihan funds, however, may not be used for Personal Services expenditures, such as salaries, wages, overtime pay, and other personnel benefits; administrative expenses such as office supplies, meetings, communication, water and electricity, petroleum products; domestic or foreign travel expenses; and registration or participation fees in training, seminars, conferences or conventions, according to the DBM. Expenses on the purchase of administrative office' furniture, fixtures, equipment or appliances as well as purchase, maintenance, or repair of motor vehicles, including ambulance must also not be charged against the Bayanihan grant. The President had earlier authorized the release of the financial grant to local government units to boost their capacity to contain the spread of the new coronavirus disease. He mentioned the one-time grant to LGUs in his recent report to Congress on the implementation of the Bayanihan law. The DBM had earlier released the P30.8 billion to cover the funding for the one-time Bayanihan grant to cities and municipalities for its COVID response programs. The amount is equal to a one-month IRA share of the cities and municipalities. According to the DBM, the funds that will be unused after the lifting of the state of calamity shall be reverted to the National Treasury.
Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles(PCOO / MANILA BULLETIN) Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said local government units must also observe existing procurement, accounting, and auditing rules and regulations in the use of Bayanihan funds given by the national government. The Department of Budget and Management recently released P6.197 billion for the one-time financial assistance to provinces to help deal with the pandemic. This is equivalent to one half of the one-month 2020 internal revenue allotment share of 81 provinces around the country. "Saan po pwedeng gamitin ang BGP? Pwede po itong gamitin na dagdag-pondo para sa mga ospital na pinapatakbo ng provincial government, para sa COVID-19-related expenses tulad ng pambili ng personal protective equipment; para sa equipment, reagents, at kits para sa COVID-19 testing; para sa gamot at bitamina; at para sa hospital equipment at supplies; para pambili ng disinfectants, sprayers, at ibang disinfecting supplies at misting equipment(Where can the BGP be used? The additional funds can be used for hospitals operated by the provincial government for COVID-19 related expenses like procurement of personal protective equipment; equipment, reagents and kits for COVID-19 testing, medicines and vitamins; hospital equipment and supplies; disinfectants, sprayers and other disinfecting supplies and misting equipment)," Nograles said during a virtual press conference on Monday. He said the Bayanihan grant may also be used for food, transportation, and accommodation expenses of health workers and personnel in hospitals operated by the provincial government. The funds can also bankroll the construction, repair, lease, and rental expenses for additional space or building to accommodate confirmed or suspected coronavirus cases as well as the training of medical personnel related to coronavirus response. According to Nograles, the Bayanihan resources may also be tapped for the operation and maintenance of duly established provincial checkpoints related to COVID-19. The expenses include provision of food, medicines and vitamins, personal protective equipment sets, and disinfecting supplies for the exclusive use of provincial government employees and concerned personnel. The budget department recently issued a circular on the guidelines on the disbursement of the one-time Bayanihan grant to provinces. The funds are intended to support the government's efforts in responding to the pandemic. "The use of the BGP for the specified purpose shall augment, and not duplicate, the funds allocated for National Government agencies like the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, among others," the DBM said. The Bayanihan funds, however, may not be used for Personal Services expenditures, such as salaries, wages, overtime pay, and other personnel benefits; administrative expenses such as office supplies, meetings, communication, water and electricity, petroleum products; domestic or foreign travel expenses; and registration or participation fees in training, seminars, conferences or conventions, according to the DBM. Expenses on the purchase of administrative office' furniture, fixtures, equipment or appliances as well as purchase, maintenance, or repair of motor vehicles, including ambulance must also not be charged against the Bayanihan grant. The President had earlier authorized the release of the financial grant to local government units to boost their capacity to contain the spread of the new coronavirus disease. He mentioned the one-time grant to LGUs in his recent report to Congress on the implementation of the Bayanihan law. The DBM had earlier released the P30.8 billion to cover the funding for the one-time Bayanihan grant to cities and municipalities for its COVID response programs. The amount is equal to a one-month IRA share of the cities and municipalities. According to the DBM, the funds that will be unused after the lifting of the state of calamity shall be reverted to the National Treasury.