NANAWAGAN ang Department of Interior and Local Government sa mga provincial government na maging transparent kung papaano nito ginagastos ang Bayanihan Grant to Provinces.
Ayon kay DILG Sec. Eduardo Año nagkakahalaga ng P6.197 bilyon ang ibinabang pondo para sa 81 lalawigan at nag hamon ng gobyerno ay gamitin ito ng tama. Ang bawat provincial government ay makatatanggap ng kalahati ng kanilang buwanang Internal Revenue Allotment.
“Time is of the essence in this time of crisis. I urge the governors to utilize the BGP in a quick and efficient way and at the same time be transparent and accountable in its use to address the Covid-19 crisis in their respective localities,” ani Año sa isang pahayag.
Sa ilalim ng Department of Budget and Management Local Budget Circular No. 126, ang BGP ay magagamit lamang sa COVID-19 related expenses.
“The DILG reminds the provincial LGUs that the released amount for BGP shall be used for the duration of this State of Calamity. Funds which remain unutilized after the lifting of the State of Calamity shall be reverted to the National Treasury by the recipient cities and municipalities,” saad ng kalihim.
Hindi naman maaaring gamitin sa personal services expenditures ang pondo, ayon kay DILG Spokesperson at Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya.
Hindi ito maaaring gamitin sa pagbabayad ng suweldo, overtime pay, hazard pay, special risk allowance at iba pang katulad na gastusin.
Ang BGP ay maaaring gamitin upang dagdagan ang pondo ng operasyon ng mga local hospitals at gamitin sa pagbili ng procurement of personal protective equipment (PPE); equipment, reagents, at kits for Covid-19 testing; gamot at vitamins, hospital equipment and supplies; disinfectants, sprayers, at mga disinfecting supplies at misting equipment.
Maaari rin itong gamitin sa pagkain, transportasyon at accommodation ng mga health workers, pagkumpuni at paggawa ng mga dagdag na pasilidad para sa Covid-19 patients at posibleng nahawa nito, at pagsasanay ng mga medical/health personnel na gagamitin sa local hospitals kaugnay ng COVID-19.