City officials strongly endorsed to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) the list of priority programs, projects and activities of the city on anti-Corona Virus Disease (COVID) 2019 efforts amounting to ₱ 96.3 million.
Under Resolution No. 620 signed by Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong, city legislators stated that the city government had already prepared the list of priority programs, projects and activities on anti-COVID efforts in the coming months amounting to ₱ 96.3 million to be funded from outside sources as the available funds of the city had already been exhausted over the past several months.
Section 3.4 of Local Budget Circular No. 128 or the guidelines on the release and utilization of the Local Government Support Fund–COVID-19 financial assistance to local government units and the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act dated September 17, 2020 from the DBM, provided that local government units shall submit their requests, together with the documentary requirements as prescribed to the DBM central office not later than October 31, 2020 to ensure that funds from the same are released to the concerned local governments on or before December 19, 2020 which is the last day of the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act.
Among the programs, projects and activities sought to be funded by the city include the procurement of personal protective equipment (PPEs) – ₱ 6.9 million; procurement of equipment, re-agents, and kits for COVID-19 testing – ₱ 5 million; procurement of medicines and vitamins – ₱ 10 million; procurement of hospital equipment and supplies – ₱ 3.9 million; procurement of disinfectants, sprayers, disinfection tents and other disinfecting supplies and misting equipment – ₱ 7 million; food, transportation, including fuel, and accommodation expenses of medical personnel and other LGU personnel directly involved in the implementation of COVID-related activities – ₱ 190,430; procurement, maintenance, repair of ambulances, medical transport vehicles and emergency response vehicles; food assistance and other relief goods for affected households – ₱ 22.5 million; expenses for the construction, repair, lease or rental of additional space or building to accommodate COVID patients and persons under monitoring and investigation – ₱ 926,360; expenses for the operation of standalone mobile testing laboratory; expenses for the purchase or rental of tents or spaces for temporary shelters of the homeless; expenses for training of personnel in the conduct of COVID testing and other related trainings – ₱ 800,000; other necessary COVID-19 programs, projects and activities and expenses – ₱ 3.5 million; manpower hiring for triage isolation and emergency Medical Service – ₱ 14.2 million; laundry services in isolation facilities – ₱ 522,000; security services in 3 isolation facilities – ₱ 2.86 million; janitorial services for isolation facilities and triage area – ₱ 4.5 million; hauling of infectious waste – ₱ 540,000; internet connection in triage, quarantine and isolation facilities – P450,000; office and other supplies in siltation facilities – ₱ 680,780; production and reproduction of COVID-related information and education materials – ₱ 500,000; provision of food for patients admitted in siltation facilities – ₱ 8.1 million; mental health care and wellness program – ₱ 655,000; eco bags for food packs with advocacy features – ₱ 210,000; cell cards for personnel in charge of operation centers – ₱ 533,500; mobile phones for returning Baguio residents (RBR) team members – ₱ 105,000 and overtime of maintenance group – ₱ 150,000.
(Dexter A. See, photo courtesy of Baguio Public Information Office)