LGUs spent P118 billion for pandemic response

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs) spent P118.9 billion for their pandemic response up to June last year, the Department of Finance (DoF) said.

LGUs spent the total from April 2020 to June 2021, of which P76.44 billion came from their own funds, while another P35.44 billion came from the national budget through the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act (Bayanihan I).

The Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF) in its report to the DoF said LGUs also used P4.93 billion from unexpended cash balances of public funds.

Under the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act (Bayanihan II), the unexpended cash balances of public funds held in trust by the local governments can be used for their coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) programs.

The remaining P2.14 billion spent by the LGUs came from grants and donations, the DoF said in a press release on Saturday.

The BLGF has developed an online reporting system for local government treasurers to track receipts and spending for COVID-19 programs.

“This reporting system was used to establish and assess baseline local finance data to serve as inputs in managing the COVID-19 response of the government,” BLGF Executive Director Niño Raymond Alvina said.

Funds were used for operating expenses, food assistance and other relief goods, capital outlays, and financial assistance for students, drivers, and senior citizens.

Data gathered by the BLGF came from 1,715 LGU treasurers. — Jenina P. Ibañez