DBM releases P30.8B for one-time financial aid to cities, towns vs. COVID-19

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has released P30.8 billion to finance the one-time financial assistance to cities and municipalities in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

According to the DBM, it released a total of P30,823,759,246.00 in relation to the approval of the "Bayanihan to Grant to Cities and Municipalities (BGCM), intended to for local governments.

The released amount will be used by the recipient cities and municipalities for the duration of the State of Calamity as declared by President Rodrigo Duterte on March 16, 2020.

"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 the DBM.

Under Local Budget Circular No. 125, the BGCM can only be used for COVID-19 related programs, projects, activities (PPAs), and expenses such as the following:

• Procurement of personal protective equipment;
• Procurement of equipment, reagents, and kits for COVID-19 testing;
• Procurement of medicines and vitamins;
• Procurement of hospital equipment and supplies;
• Procurement of disinfectants, sprayers, disinfection tents and other disinfecting supplies and misting equipment;
• Food, transportation (including fuel), and accommodation expenses of medical personnel and other LGU personnel directly involved in the implementation of COVID-19-related programs, projects, and activities (PPAs);
• Food assistance and other relief goods for affected households;
• Expenses for the construction/repair/lease/rental of additional space/building to accommodate COVID-19 patients and persons under monitoring/investigation;
• Expenses for the operation of stand-alone/mobile testing laboratory;
• Expenses for the purchase/rental of tents for temporary shelters of the homeless;
•     Expenses for training of personnel in the conduct of COVID-19 testing and other related trainings; and
•     Other necessary COVID-19-related PPAs and expenses.

However, the amount does not cover the following:

• Any form of financial/cash assistance;
• Personal Services expenditures, such as salaries, wages, overtime pay and other personnel benefits;
• Administrative expenses, such as supplies, meetings, communication, water and electricity, petroleum products, other general services, and the like;
• Traveling expenses, whether domestic or foreign;
• Registration or participation fees in training, seminars, conferences or conventions;
• Purchase of administrative office' furniture, fixtures, equipment or appliances;
• Purchase, maintenance or repair of motor vehicles; and
• Other PPAs and expenses not related to COVID-19.

-NB, GMA News