Puerto Princesa City Mayor Lucilo R. Bayron said on Sunday, April 12, 2020, that the city government is expected to receive this week its share of the “Solidarity Grant to Cities and Municipalities” from the national government in the amount of P248-million.
The fund is part of the P30.824-billion as grant assistance to all local government units (LGUs) in the country, approved by President Rodrigo R. Duterte last week.
“Makakatanggap tayo hopefully this week ng P248-million na mula sa pamahalaang nasyonal. May mga provisions kung paano ito gagastusin,” Mayor Bayron said.
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año said that the funds will be released to boost the capacities of LGUs in responding to the needs of their constituents amid the public health crisis.
“Nauunawaan ng national government ang malaking hamon na hinaharap ng local government units sa pagtugon sa pangangailangan ng kanilang mga constituents sa gitna ng Covid-19 crisis. Sa pamamagitan ng Bayanihan Grant to Cities and Municipalities, magkakaroon na ng karagdagang kapasidad ang ating mga LGUs na bumili ng mga kagamitan at tulungan ang mga taong lubos na apektado ng krisis na ito,” Secretary Año explained.
The DILG said that he funds should be strictly used for programs and projects directly related to Covid-19 responses such as relief goods for low-income household, taking personal protective equipment (PPE) for frontliners, disinfections, medicines, among others.
The DILG urged local government executives to ensure that the Bayanihan Grant are utilized properly and to maximize it for the benefit of their constituents.
“Naniniwala ako na mas alam at ramdam ninyo ang pangangailangan sa inyong sinasakupan kaya siguruhin po sana natin na gagamitin natin ng maayos ang pondong ito para sa kapakanan ng ating mga kababayan,” he said.