MANILA - The Department of Budget and Management on Monday said it released P30.8 billion to support cities and municipalities in their fight against COVID-19.

The "Bayanihan Grant to Cities and Municipalities" is a one-time financial assistance equivalent to their one-month 2020 Internal Revenue Allotment share, the DBM said in a statement.

The fund should be "exclusively used" for COVID-19 related programs and expenses subject to existing procurement, budgeting, accounting and auditing rules, it said.

The following programs are covered by the cash aid:

• Procurement of personal protective equipment;
• Procurement of equipment, reagents, and kits for COVID-19 testing;
• Procurement of medicines and vitamins;
• Procurement of hospital equipment and supplies;
• Procurement of disinfectants, sprayers, disinfection tents and other disinfecting supplies and misting equipment;
• Food, transportation (including fuel), and accommodation expenses of medical personnel and other LGU personnel directly involved in the implementation of COVID-19-related programs, projects, and activities (PPAs);
• Food assistance and other relief goods for affected households;
• Expenses for the construction/repair/lease/rental of additional space/building to accommodate COVID-19 patients and persons under monitoring/investigation;
• Expenses for the operation of stand-alone/mobile testing laboratory;
• Expenses for the purchase/rental of tents for temporary shelters of the homeless;
• Expenses for training of personnel in the conduct of COVID-19 testing and other related training; and
• Other necessary COVID-19-related PPAs and expenses

Expenses not related to COVID-19 response including salaries or wages, overtime pay, cash assistance, administrative expenses, travel expenses, registration in seminars, purchase of fixtures and vehicle maintenance should not be charged to the fund, the DBM said.

"The released amount for BGCM shall be used by the recipient cities and municipalities for the duration of the State of Calamity as declared by the President by virtue of Proclamation No. 929 dated 16 March 2020," it said.

Unused funds after the lifting of the state of calamity should be reverted back to the National Treasury, it said.

The entire island of Luzon is under enhanced community quarantine until April 30 to contain the spread of COVID-19.

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