THE Cebu City Government spent a total of P2.5 billion for its coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic response in 2020.
Cebu City Councilor Raymond Alvin Garcia, committee on budget and finance chairman, said the remaining amount of about P200 million was reverted to the general fund.
The City Government had set aside P2.7 billion for its pandemic response.
Of the 2.5 billion, P1.1 billion was used on rice and canned goods that were distributed as relief assistance to residents when Cebu City was placed on lockdown.
Cebu City was under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), the most stringent form of lockdown, from March 28 to May 31, 2020.
Restrictions were relaxed and Cebu City shifted to general community quarantine on June 1, but reverted to ECQ on June 15 as Covid-19 cases surged.
Garcia said other expenses were P431 million for medical supplies and P392 million for salaries and hazard pay for the healthcare workers, including those in the barangays.
The source of the funds were P1 billion from the second supplemental budget; P821 million from the third supplemental budget; P302 million from the City’s trust fund; P116 million and P142 million from the capital outlay; and P337 million from the fourth supplemental budget.
Garcia said the documents have been forwarded to the Commission on Audit (COA).
“It is the duty of the COA to do post audit so all the documents are already with them,” Garcia told the media. (JJL)