By Mario Casayuran
Neophyte Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go said Wednesday that additional funds might be raised from other sources to augment the “measly” amount provided under the House Appropriations Committee allocation for the government respond to 2019 Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis.
Neophyte Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go
(FACEBOOK / MANILA BULLETIN) The House Appropriations Committee has allocated P1.65 billion only since this is the amount available that can be used for the purpose as certified by the Bureau of Treasury,” Go said. Since DOH is requesting for an additional P3.1 billion (P2.035 billion for personal protective equipment, P933 million for Bureau of Quarantine, P139 million for RITM), additional funds might be raised from other sources, he said. Go, chairman of the Senate health committee, said that Chairman Andrea Domingo of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has committed to provide the amount of P2 billion. He also said the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) would allocate P420 million based on a proclamation to be issued by the President. “There is also around P539 million in DOH savings and P81 million from the DOH Quick Response Fund that can be utilized. Adding all these together, we have a total of roughly P4.6 billion to help DOH and concerned agencies respond to the needs of our people amid the COVID-19 situation,” he added. ‘’Apart from this, there are also funds from the Contingency Fund and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund that may serve as a standby source if the need arises,’’ he explained. Since the President has declared a State of Public Health Emergency, Go pointed out that all available resources of the government would be utilized properly and efficiently to respond to this crisis and ensure the safety of all Filipinos. Additionally, the declaration allows the LGUs to utilize their local disaster risk reduction management funds (LDRRMF) under RA 10121, he said. “As a senator and chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, sisiguraduhin ko na ginagawa ng mga opisyal at mga ahensya ng gobyerno ang kanilang tungkulin na mapangalagaan ang kalusugan ng bawat Pilipino. Sisiguraduhin rin natin na kahit piso mula sa kaban ng bayan ay hindi masasayang (As a senator and chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, I will ensure that the officials and the agencies of government are doing their jobs in protecting the health of every Filipino. I will also ensure that public funds will not be wasted),” Go said.
Neophyte Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go(FACEBOOK / MANILA BULLETIN) The House Appropriations Committee has allocated P1.65 billion only since this is the amount available that can be used for the purpose as certified by the Bureau of Treasury,” Go said. Since DOH is requesting for an additional P3.1 billion (P2.035 billion for personal protective equipment, P933 million for Bureau of Quarantine, P139 million for RITM), additional funds might be raised from other sources, he said. Go, chairman of the Senate health committee, said that Chairman Andrea Domingo of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has committed to provide the amount of P2 billion. He also said the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) would allocate P420 million based on a proclamation to be issued by the President. “There is also around P539 million in DOH savings and P81 million from the DOH Quick Response Fund that can be utilized. Adding all these together, we have a total of roughly P4.6 billion to help DOH and concerned agencies respond to the needs of our people amid the COVID-19 situation,” he added. ‘’Apart from this, there are also funds from the Contingency Fund and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund that may serve as a standby source if the need arises,’’ he explained. Since the President has declared a State of Public Health Emergency, Go pointed out that all available resources of the government would be utilized properly and efficiently to respond to this crisis and ensure the safety of all Filipinos. Additionally, the declaration allows the LGUs to utilize their local disaster risk reduction management funds (LDRRMF) under RA 10121, he said. “As a senator and chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, sisiguraduhin ko na ginagawa ng mga opisyal at mga ahensya ng gobyerno ang kanilang tungkulin na mapangalagaan ang kalusugan ng bawat Pilipino. Sisiguraduhin rin natin na kahit piso mula sa kaban ng bayan ay hindi masasayang (As a senator and chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, I will ensure that the officials and the agencies of government are doing their jobs in protecting the health of every Filipino. I will also ensure that public funds will not be wasted),” Go said.