Bong Go recommends grant of one-time 'Bayanihan' Financial Assistance to LGUs to help constituents amid COVID-19 crisis

Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go appealed to the Executive Department on Thursday, April 2, to grant a one-time 'Bayanihan' financial assistance to cities and municipalities to help them respond to the needs of their constituents while the country is addressing the COVID-19 health emergency and the socioeconomic impact that comes with it.

"Tulungan dapat ang mga local government units na maalagaan ang mga komunidad nila sa panahong ito. Malaking tulong kung mabigyan sila ng dagdag na pondo para mapunan ang lumalaking pangangailangan ng mga tao ngayon," Go explained.

Go also explained that while the national government is taking charge in this time of crisis, LGUs must take responsibility as well in addressing the needs of their constituents. He commended LGUs for their efforts in maintaining order in their areas and in responding to the immediate needs of the people.

"Salamat sa mga LGUs, governors, vice governors, mayors, vice mayors, barangay officials na nag-aasikaso sa kanilang mga constituents... Now, more than ever, we, as elected officials, must do everything we can to be of service to the people," he said.

Go recommended that a one-time grant from the national government, equivalent to one month of their respective internal revenue allotments (IRA), will go a long way in enhancing the capabilities of LGUs in responding to the crisis.

"Sa laki ng problemang kinakaharap natin, baka kukulangin ang kasalukuyang pondo ng ating mga LGU. Hindi naman po lahat ng LGUs ay pantay-pantay pagdating sa pondo. Kailangan rin nila ng tulong mula sa national government," Go explained.

The Senator cited salient provisions of Republic Act No. 11469 or the "Bayanihan to Heal as One Act" as bases for his proposal.

"Isinulong natin ang batas na ito upang maging madali sa gobyerno na i-reprogram, i-reallocate, at i-realign ang mga pondo basta ba gagamitin ito para maprotektahan ang mga Pilipino laban sa banta ng COVID-19," he said.

The Senator emphasized that the law has already given the necessary authority and flexibility to the government to utilize the funds as deemed necessary to respond and address the growing threats of COVID-19.

Go added that as a member of the Joint Oversight Committee of the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, he will make sure that available funds are used properly and are maximized to provide immediate help to Filipinos who need government attention the most.

"Sisiguraduhin ko na nagagamit ng tama ang pondo at pupukpukin ko ang mga ahensya na aksyunan agad ang pangangailangan ng mga Pilipinong apektado ngayon," Go said.

He explained that the one-time 'Bayanihan' financial assistance for cities and municipalities can be taken from available funds or savings of the national government.

"Bawat city o municipality, bigyan natin ng pondo na katumbas ng kanilang IRA sa isang buwan. Cities at municipalities lang din ang bibigyan natin to avoid duplication. Provinces and barangays have the same constituencies anyway. They are already covered. The grant may be released through the Bureau of the Treasury using the same bank accounts for the IRA shares of the LGUs," Go proposed.

Go added that the grant should be used exclusively for projects, programs and activities concerning the COVID-19 situation, such as procurement of personal protective equipment for frontline service providers; medicines and vitamins; hospital equipment and supplies; disinfectants and related equipment; relief goods for low-income and vulnerable households; and tents for temporary shelter of the homeless.

He further proposed that the grant may also be used for food, transportation and accommodation expenses of medical personnel and other LGU personnel involved in activities related to the COVID-19 situation; lease or rental of quarantine centers; and other necessary expenses.

"Siyempre, siguraduhin natin na gagamitin lang ang pondo sa layunin nito at hindi ito mapunta sa katiwalian. Ipagbawal nating gamitin ito sa suweldo ng mga personnel, pambili ng motor vehicles, at mga administrative at traveling expenses na wala namang kinalaman sa COVID-19 situation," Go emphasized.

He also clarified that the grant should be on top of other assistance that national government agencies are already providing to LGUs.

However, Go reminded LGUs to make sure that the assistance reaches those who need government help the most, particularly the poorest of the poor, vulnerable sectors and displaced workers. He added that politics should not be a factor in providing such assistance.

"Pakiusap ko lang, huwag na pong haluan ng pulitika ang pagtulong. Hindi po iyan nakakatulong sa sitwasyon natin ngayon. Huwag na natin pahirapan pa ang mga tao, tumulong nalang tayo na pabilisin ang pagbigay ng tulong sa kanila," Go said.

"Wala naman po kasing dapat pinipiling oras o kulay ang pagtulong sa kapwa kaya siguraduhin nalang po natin na makarating ito sa pinaka-mahihirap at pinaka-nangangailangan," he added.