DBM to release P30-B funding assistance to LGUs for COVID-19 response —Duterte

Municipal and city government units in the country will receive financial assistance from the national government to help them sustain their response and relief efforts amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) health crisis, according to President Rodrigo Duterte.

The President's second weekly report to Congress stated that the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) "is about to release the Bayanihan Grant to Cities and Municipalities."

This aid is equivalent to their respective one-month Internal Revenue Allotment or share of revenues from the national government. The assistance has a total amount of P30.8 billion.

In a separate statement, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said the funds should be used solely for programs on COVID-19 such as relief goods for low-income and vulnerable households; procurement of personal protective equipment for frontline service providers, medicines and vitamins, hospital equipment and supplies; disinfectants and related equipment; and tents for temporary shelter of the homeless, among others.

"Naniniwala ako na mas alam at ramdam ninyo ang pangangailangan sa inyong sinasakupan kaya siguruhin po sana natin na gagamitin natin nang maayos ang pondong ito para sa kapakanan ng ating mga kababayan,” Año said.

The Land Bank of the Philippines also launched a P10-billion lending program for the local government units to help them deliver unhampered services to their constituents.

Dubbed as Help via Emergency Loan Assistance (HEAL), the program aims to provide emergency funding for the purchase of goods and procurement of services amid the COVID-19 situation.

"Loans will have an affordable fixed interest rate of 5% per annum, payable to a maximum of five years, with a one-year grace period on principal payment," Duterte's report read. 

At least one LGU has expressed concern it may not have enough funds to respond to the COVID-19 crisis.

Caloocan City Mayor Oscar Malapitan said the city government will not be able to shoulder the social amelioration costs of households left out of the Department of Social Welfare and Development's program. — with Anna Felicia Bajo/KG/RSJ, GMA News