Local Government Units in the Region may propose CoVID-19 related projects under the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s Assistance to Municipalities (AM) program as the Department continues to assist LGUs in responding and preventing CoVID-19, DILG XII-Project Development and Management Unit (PDMU) said.
In a virtual meeting with LGU representatives earlier this month, PDMU Chief Engr. Herminia S. Ontoy informed that LGUs may propose CoVID-19 related infrastructure projects for funding and implementation next year.
The projects may be, but not limited to the following: evacuation with isolation or quarantine centers, testing centers, operations center, crematory facility, sidewalks, bike lane, and health and hygiene facilities. LGUs may also propose CoVID-19 related equipment, materials, and vehicles such as water delivery trucks and drones, among others.
She said, this option for LGUs is an addition to the previously accepted project proposals for funding under the program which includes the purchase, construction, improvement and rehabilitation of local access roads, local bridges, potable water system projects, evacuation centers and disaster risk reduction-related equipment, small water impounding projects, rain water catchment facilities, and municipal drug rehabilitation facilities.
However, the project shall exclude, sports equipment, school buildings and other facilities for public elementary and secondary school, clinics and health centers, reclamation, income generating projects, minor repair and maintenance of existing government facilities, and projects costing less than ₱1,000,000.
DILG is proposing a subsidy budget of ₱11.714 billion to fund the LGUs’ proposed projects and ₱302.802 million for the program’s operation expenses which will include monitoring and evaluation, capacity development activities, LGU coaching and mentoring, development of information education materials, and conduct of research on innovative strategies and infrastructure and resiliency framework to aid LGUs’ in responding to pandemics.
The Department has yet to release the official governance and technical requirements for the 2021 AM Program.
