CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY CITY (PIA)—Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Regional Director Arnel Agabe reminds cities and municipalities to solely use the Bayanihan Grant for programs, projects and activities on coronavirus disease (COVID)-19 during the NorMin COVID-19 Response Task Force press conference, April 28, here. 

The ‘Bayanihan Grant to Cities and Municipalities,’ equivalent to one month Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA), is granted to the local government units (LGUs) to boost their capacities to respond to the needs of their constituents in the midst of COVID-19 crisis. 

Agabe said the grant is intended “para matabangan ang atoang mga barangays (to help our barangays) make the appropriate intervention and measures as far as COVID-19 is concerned.”

The one-time grant should only be used to fund for relief goods for low-income and vulnerable households; procurement of personal protective equipment for frontline service providers, medicines and vitamins, hospital equipment and supplies; disinfectants and related equipment; and tents for temporary shelter of the homeless, among others.

“Ang 20 percent development fund pwede gamiton sa atong barangay and the other higher local government units for COVID-19 related purposes the same gihapon nga ang pundo sa Sangguniang Kabataan can be now used for COVID-19 related nga mga panginahanglan o gamit,” Agabe added.

(The 20 percent development fund can be used by the barangays and other higher local government units for COVID-19 related purposes the same with the Sangguniang Kabataan fund can now be used for COVID-19 related needs or purposes)

The regional director then urged the LGUs to utilize the grant properly and wisely as well as to maximize such for the benefit of their constituents. (RTP/PIA10)