DHSUD commits P261.5M for war chest against COVID-19

The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) has committed to remit P261.5 million -- originally allocated for several programs of the agency -- to boost the national government's war chest against COVID-19.

DHSUD Secretary Eduardo Del Rosario, in a letter to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) dated April 30, said the department will discontinue the utilization of a total of P261,550,000 for 2020.

The amount includes P250 million for the Resettlement Emergency Assistance Program (REAP); P500,000 for the National Urban Planning Policy Program; and P6.85 million for vehicle acquisition.

"Rest assured that we will strictly observe the economy measures being undertaken by the national government brought about by the coronavirus disease 2019," said Del Rosario.

The latest  figure is on top of the P21.1 million already committed by the DHSUD's shelter agency Social Housing Finance Corp. (SHFC), which was originally allocated for several programs and projects that will be discontinued this year.

This includes P1.1 million for Customer Relations and Complaints Divison; P9.250 million for activities of the Human Resources Development Division; P8.041 million for trainings, assemblies and seminars of the Insurance and Community Enhancement Division; P2.077 million for activities of the Partner Relations Division; and P650,000 for Strategic Communications Division.

"As one with the national government in the fight against COVID-19, we should find ways on how to provide much-needed funds in anticipation of the long-term effects of the pandemic," said Del Rosario, who sits as chairman of the SHFC Board of Trustees.

"The government needs to sustain its efforts to assist our countrymen cope-up with the adverse effects of the community quarantine and finally defeat the COVID-19," he elaborated.

As of Monday, May 04, 2020, the Philippines has so far recorded a total of 9,485 confirmed cases of COVID-19. This includes 1,315 recoveries and 623 deaths.

For its part, the government has so far allocated P1.4 trillion for efforts against COVID-19, which the Department of Finance said would be fully available by the end of April. --KBK, GMA News