State funds released to various government agencies for their coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic-related response programs have risen to P490.08 billion, according to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
Department data released on Thursday showed that fund releases under Republic Act (RA) 11469, or the “Bayanihan to Heal as One Act” (Bayanihan 1), reached P386.14 billion and those under RA 11494, or the “Bayanihan to Recover as One Act” (Bayanihan 2), hit P96.36 billion.
Signed on March 24, Bayanihan 1 provided assistance to disadvantaged or displaced workers during the pandemic; grants to cities, municipalities and provinces; and purchase of coronavirus detection kits, among others. It expired on June 27.
Signed on September 11, Bayanihan 2 focused on cash-for-work programs; skills training; social assistance programs; funding for the agriculture, tourism, transportation and education sectors; and more lending programs to help businesses survive. It will expire on December 19.
The data showed that the bulk, or P217.41 billion, of the funds released as of November 30 went to the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
Other departments that received more than P1 billion were the Departments of Labor and Employment with P28.98 billion; Health, P73.23 billion; Finance, P100.19 billion; Agriculture, P29.21 billion; the Interior and Local Government, P4.3 billion; National Defense, P2.92 billion, Education, P14.91 billion; Trade and Industry, P1.30 billion; Public Works and Highways, P6.56 billion; and Transportation, P9.50 billion.
Agencies and institutions that received less than P1 billion were the Departments of Foreign Affairs with P825.09 million and of Science and Technology with P53.23 million; Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, P50.50 million; University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital, P415 million; and Philippine Sports Commission, P180 million.
The government has so far earmarked P2.06 trillion — equivalent to 11 percent of the country’s gross domestic product — for its four-pillar strategy against the pandemic.
The amount covers providing emergency and wage subsidies for poor and low-income households, small-business employees and other vulnerable groups; marshaling the country’s medical resources and ensuring the safety of health-care frontliners; fiscal and monetary actions to finance emergency initiatives and keep the economy afloat; and an economic recovery plan to create jobs and sustain growth after the pandemic.