Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 19) — Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año ordered the immediate and proper use of the Bayanihan Grant to Provinces (BGP), a one-time ₱6.197 billion financial assistance for provincial governments in their fight against the deadly coronavirus disease.
“Time is of the essence in this time of crisis. I urge the governors to utilize the BGP in a quick and efficient way and at the same time be transparent and accountable in its use to address the Covid-19 crisis in their respective localities,” Año said.
The BGP is equivalent to half a month of the Internal Revenue Allotment share of 81 provinces nationwide for the current fiscal year, according to the Local Budget Circular No. 126 of the Department of Budget and Management dated April 13.
Año added that provinces must lead in the contact tracing, isolation, treatment, and re-integration of patients into their respective communities in line with the National Strategy Against COVID-19 adopted by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF).
Under the circular, provincial governments may use the BGP in augmenting funding requirements for procuring personal protective equipment (PPE), other equipment, reagents, and kits for COVID-19 testing, medicines and vitamins, hospital equipment and supplies, and disinfectants, sprayers, and other disinfecting supplies and misting equipment.
Food, transportation, and accommodation expenses of health workers and other personnel of provincial, district, and other local hospitals operated by the provincial government may be charged to the fund.
Expenses for training the said workers related to COVID-19 testing and other related trainings are also covered.
The BGP can also be used in the construction, repair, lease, or rental of additional spaces or buildings for COVID-19 patients and persons under monitoring or investigation.
Provincial governments may use the amount in other necessary programs, activities, and projects related to the disease and expenses of provincial, district and other local hospitals they also operate.
The BGP also covers the operation and maintenance of provincial checkpoints established in relation to COVID-19.
This means the fund may be used in providing food, medicines or vitamins, PPE, and disinfecting supplies for provincial government employees and personnel in these checkpoints.
However, Interior and Local Government Spokesperson Jonathan Malaya clarified the BGP cannot be used in personal services expenditures such as salaries, wages, overtime pay, and other personnel benefits, which include Hazard Pay and Special Risk Allowance.
Administrative expenses, such as office supplies, meetings, communication, water and electricity, petroleum products, other general services, and the like are also prohibited expenses using the amount, he said.
The BGP also does not cover traveling expenses for both domestic and foreign trips, and registration or participation fees in training, seminars, conferences or conventions.
The purchase of administrative office furniture, fixtures, equipment or appliances are also not allowed under the fund.
The fund cannot be used in the purchase, maintenance, or repair of motor vehicles, including ambulances as well.
“Funds which remain unutilized after the lifting of the State of Calamity shall be reverted to the National Treasury by the recipient cities and municipalities,” said Año.
Earlier this month, local government also received the Bayanihan Grant worth more than ₱30.82 billion to help finance their relief efforts.
