Leyte uses Bayanihan Grant for Provinces to set up isolation facility
PALO, Leyte, May 3 (PIA) — The Provincial Government of Leyte will soon complete the preparation of the provincial COVID-29 isolation area inside the Leyte Academic Center (LAC) gymnasium here.
The isolation area, which can accommodate 100 patients, is funded through the Bayanihan Grant for Provinces (BGP), the national government’s assistance for local government’s COVIC-19 response and relief, Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla disclosed during the meeting of the Leyte Provincial COVID-19 Inter-Agency Task Force held recently.
He said the selection of LAC as a site for the provincial isolation center was because of its huge enclosed space and accessibility.
“This is to prepare in case there is a surge of COVID-19 patients in the province, but we are hoping that we will not use this facility,“ the Governor said.
The facility will have 10 units 15-tonners airconditioners, medical beds, comfort facilities for male and female with good water supply and other amenities.
Together with the isolation center, a big tent will also be installed in front of the gymnasium that would serve as the waiting area for the relatives of the suspected COVID-19 patients.
According to DBM Local Budget Circular No. 126, dated April 13, 2020, the BGP shall be exclusively used for the COVID-19 response related purposes and subject to existing procurement, budgeting, accounting and auditing rules and regulations.
The released amount is equivalent to one-half of one month Internal Revenue Allotment share of 81 provinces nationwide for this current fiscal year.
The BGP is for the augmentation of the funding requirements for the operation of provincial, district, and other local hospitals operated by the provincial government, for COVID-19-related expenses.
Specifically, it should be used for the procurement of personal protective equipment (PPE); equipment, reagents, and kits for COVID-19 testing; medicines and vitamins; and hospital equipment and supplies; disinfectants, sprayers, and other disinfecting supplies and misting equipment.
BGP may also be used for food, transportation (including fuel), and accommodation expenses of health workers and other personnel of the provincial, district, and other local hospitals operated by the provincial government; expenses for the construction/repair/lease/rental of additional space/building to accommodate COVID-19 patients and persons under monitoring/investigation; and expenses for training of medical/health personnel of the provincial, district, and other local hospitals operated by the provincial government relative to the conduct of COVID-19 testing and other related trainings.
The BGP also covers the expenses for the operation and maintenance of duly established provincial checkpoints related to COVID-19, such as provision of foods, medicines/vitamins, personal protective equipment, and disinfecting supplies for the exclusive use of provincial government employees and personnel concerned, including those hired under Contract of Service and Job Order schemes. (PIA-8)
source https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1040780