Baguio City council allots P150-M to fight COVID-19

BAGUIO CITY – The city council passed an ordinance which reverted to the general fund the amount of P150 million from savings that would be re-appropriated for the operations of the city government in dealing with the COVID-19 crisis.

The ordinance was approved on first reading on March 30 dispensing with the second and third readings.

Mayor Benjamin Magalong who attended the city council’s regular session explained the P150 million was a standby fund which can be used for the rehabilitation of the Sto. Niño Hospital and its conversion into a critical care facility for COVID-19 patients.

He said the fund will also support other essential operations of the city amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

City Budget Officer Atty. Leticia Clemente, said the Local Finance Committee will prepare the Certificate of Availability of Funds for the purpose.

By virtue of two approved resolutions, the city council also authorized Magalong to enter into memoranda of agreement with Sto Niño hospital and with the Department of Health for the hospital’s rehabilitation and its operation as a specialty hospital for COVID-19 patients.

“At present, they were able to clear 36 rooms in one floor in preparation for the hospital’s conversion into a Baguio City critical care center and we can still use two more floors for its expansion,” Magalong said.

Magalong also disclosed that the management of Baguio General Hospital has emptied an entire building to be utilized as an exclusive facility for COVID-19 patients.

The mayor added that two more structures, Lindi Hotel located along Legarda St. and a certain five-story building located in Tuba, are being eyed as containment facilities for persons under investigation (PUIs).

Furthermore, the P150 million fund is expected to sustain the relief operations of the city government. It will also support the anticipated increase of recipients of food packs.