Mayor Benjamin Magalong
BAGUIO CITY – Mayor Benjamin Magalong on Tuesday said the city government is ready to spend as much as PHP20 million a week to assure residents would cope with the impact of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.
“Basta importante lahat makatangap niyan (What is important is that everyone receives that),” Magalong said.
He said that during the first two weeks, they were averaging PHP5.2 million a week purchasing food for the relief packs for the residents.
He noted that city’s Quick response fund (QRF) of PHP30 million has been exhausted for the purchase of relief goods as early as March 31.
Magalong said that the city council has approved the release of PHP150 million more to sustain the needs of the people.
The PHP150 million will not be taken from the savings, but reverted from the funds of the unimplemented projects of the city, Magalong said.
He said the city has around 45,000 households that need to be aided. This is about 45 percent of the total households of Baguio which is estimated to be around 93,000 or about 370,000 people.
He said the PHP150 million was already certified available by the city’s local finance committee pursuant to the provisions of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Circular No. 124, series of 2020, to supplement the funds earmarked to address the Covid-19 pandemic.
Magalong said that the city is lucky with the many donors who are extending a hand giving supplies and equipment, which allows the local government to save its money for other expenses like food. (PNA)
