Bong Go lauds move to grant a one-time "Bayanihan" financial assistance to cities and municipalities;
 urges LGUs to use funds properly to help frontliners and the poor

Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go lauded the move to provide a one-time "Bayanihan" financial assistance to local government units to help them respond to the increasing needs of their respective constituents.

As recommended by Go based on the appeal of various LGUs, the Department of Budget and Management is now set to release P30.824 billion in cash to help LGUs cope with the growing needs of their constituents and the economic blow brought about by the COVID-19 health emergency to the local communities.

"Ang gobyernong lokal ang humaharap mismo sa araw-araw na problema ng kanilang mga nasasakupan. Tama lang na bigyan ng karagdagang pondo ang ating mga LGUs lalo na sa panahon ngayon na maraming walang trabaho at maraming umaasa sa ayuda mula sa gobyerno," Go said.

"Ang pondong ito ay magbibigay ng dagdag na kapasidad sa LGUs na tumugon sa pangangailangan ng kanilang komunidad. Siguraduhin natin na walang magugutom para hindi magkagulo at maging cooperative ang mga tao. Malaking tulong ito para masiguro ang kapayapaan at kaayusan sa panahon ng krisis," he added.

As a member of the Joint Congressional Oversight Committee overseeing the implementation of the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, Go reminded LGUs to utilize the funds properly to provide immediate aid to affected Filipino families. He also emphasized that it must be done in a transparent manner with an assurance that the assistance reaches those who need help the most.

"Sa panahong ito, konsensya niyo na lamang ang tututok sa inyo. Siguraduhin natin na magamit ang pondo ng tama, walang masayang, at maramdaman ng mga tao kahit sa malalayong lugar ang tulong mula sa gobyerno," Go said.

Go added that the grant should be used exclusively for projects, programs and activities concerning the COVID-19 situation on top of what the national government is providing. LGUs can use the fund for 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.

"Dapat magtulungan ang LGUs at national government agencies, pati na rin ang private sector, para matapalan kung ano man ang magiging kulang sa mga kailangan ng taumbayan," Go emphasized.

Earlier, the Senator recommended that the one-time "Bayanihan" financial assistance could be equivalent to LGUs' one-month Internal Revenue Allotments. The said assistance will be limited to cities and municipalities, since provinces and barangays have similar constituencies.

The Senator stressed that not all LGUs are created equal. Smaller, poorer and far-flung LGUs with fewer tax collections may already be financially constrained.

"Lalo na ngayon, maraming mga tao sa malalayong lugar ang hindi pa tuluyang naabutan ng tulong mula sa national government. Nahihirapan na rin ang LGUs nila na rumesponde sa mga pangangailangan ng kanilang mga nasasakupan," Go added.

Several representatives of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines have previously expressed their support for Go's proposal as a number of LGUs were already running low on funds needed to combat COVID-19.

A manifesto by LMP National President, Mayor Luis "Chavit" Singson, states that in these times of crises, "such initiatives are necessary to alleviate the burden of answering to the needs of our people."

"This financial grant would be of valuable assistance to the continuous and unhampered delivery of services to our constituents, medical personnel and other LGU personnel and activities designated to address the ongoing crisis," the manifesto further mentions.

Other regional LMP presidents have also shared the same manifesto, encouraging the national government to help them cope with the current health emergency that has affected Filipinos nationwide.

"Palagi kong pinapaalala na mahirap maging mahirap kaya dapat lamang na gawin natin ang lahat para matulungan, lalo na ang mga nangangailangan, ang mga mahihirap, mga nasa vulnerable sector, at mga kababayan nating 'isang kahig, isang tuka' na walang pinagkakakitaan ngayon," Go said.