ILOILO City Government is planning to set up its testing lab to combat coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
Mayor Jerry Treñas said City Hall is looking at procuring a P15-million 40-footer container van equipped with complete facilities.
The supplier will also be the one to process for accreditation. Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) will also help train medical technologists.
"This will be used as our own testing center," said Treñas.
He added there are also plans to develop facilities and capabilities of West Visayas State University Medical Center being checked by RITM.
The City Council approved the utilization of P94,641,934 fund April 21, through Appropriation Ordinance 2020-004 approving the special account in the general fund: Bayanihan Grant to Cities and Municipalities (BGCM) Supplemental Budget 3 for the fiscal year 2020.
Appropriations include P34 million for drugs and medicines, P27,891,934 for medical equipment, P18,750,000 for welfare goods, P9 million for other machinery and equipment, and P5 million for rapid deployment module for temporary Covid-19 shelters.
This, after the City Treasurer's Office (CTO) received extra P94-millionInternal Revenue Allotment (IRA) funds for fight against Covid-19. CTO noted the BGCM is equivalent to one month IRA.
Department of Budget and Management (DBM) guidelines stated the grant boosts capacity in immediately responding to Covid-19 emergency.
DBM said the money shall be exclusively used for Covid-19 related Programs, Projects and Activities (PPAs) and expenses. These include procurement of equipment, reagents, and kits for testing; expenses for the operation of stand-alone/mobile testing laboratory; and training of personnel in the conduct of Covid-19 testing.
It also covers procurement of medicines and vitamins; hospital equipment and supplies; disinfectants, sprayers, disinfection tents and other disinfecting supplies and misting equipment; and food assistance and other relief goods for affected households, among others. (PR)