MANILA, Philippines — Provincial local government units will receive a one-time “Bayanihan” financial assistance as additional funding for their response against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis.
The executive department has approved the granting of a one-time “Bayanihan” financial assistance to provinces equivalent to half of their respective one-month Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA), Senator Christopher “Bong” Go announced on Monday.
A formal announcement and details of such assistance will be made by the appropriate agency soon, he added.
Go said the one-time financial aid would further enable provincial LGUs to respond more effectively to the increasing needs of their constituents and help the national government implement measures to overcome the COVID-19 crisis.
“Ang pondong ito ay magagamit para ma-equip ang kanilang mga ospital, madagdagan ang kanilang quarantine and health facilities, at higit sa lahat, mabigyan sila ng dagdag na kapasidad na rumesponde sa mga pangangailangan ng kanilang mga nasasakupan,” Go said in a statement.
“Marami sa mga patients natin ay sa provincial hospitals po unang dinadala. It is the PLGUs that pay for the operations of these hospitals,” he added.
Go, a member of the joint congressional oversight committee overseeing the implementation of the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, reminded provincial LGUs to be transparent and accountable.
He added that the funds should be utilized exclusively for its intended purpose in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and as determined by the national government.
To date, Philippine health authorities have confirmed 4,648 COVID-19 cases in the country.
Two hundred ninety seven patients have died while 197 have recovered from the disease.