Gov't spends over P1 billion in COVID-19 response –NDRRMC

The government has already used more than P1 billion in its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the head of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said on Saturday.

NDRRMC Executive Director Ricardo Jalad, who is also the concurrent Office of Civil Defense administrator, said the OCD is in charge of logistics and sustainment of quarantine facilities, including the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), World Trade Center, Ninoy Aquino Stadium, and the Philippine Arena.

Jalad said the OCD is also tasked with the care of healthcare workers and COVID-19 patients, especially with their accommodations in hotels.

"'Yung ating augmentation ng QRF (Quick Response Fund), nakatatlong augmentation na tayo ng hingi sa DBM at binibigyan naman tayo. Base sa aming talaan ay na-obligate na namin nai-kontrata, umabot na sa mahigit P1 billion," Jalad said in an interview on Dobol B sa News TV.

Meanwhile, donations from the private sector and non-government organizations had reached to P34 million.

"In fact donations natin ay umabot sa P34 million at halos lahat 'yun na-obligate naman din natin. Ginamit din natin sa mga gastusin sa quarantine at testing facilities," Jalad said.

He said foreign governments have also donated medical supplies, equipment, and personal protective equipment (PPEs). — DVM, GMA News