Sotto: LGUs may use own funds for cash aid, seek reimbursement

Senate President Vicente Sotto III advised local government units (LGUs) with more constituents needing cash aid than initially estimated to use their own funds first and seek reimbursement from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) later.

Sotto urged local officials to advance the necessary funds, assuring them of the Senate's support in claiming the reimbursement from the DSWD and in crafting legislation if additional funds are required.

He emphasized that while lives cannot be restored, money can be recovered and earned by the government.

Sotto has been advocating for the executive department to ease budget restrictions during the ongoing health emergency.

The Bayanihan to Heal as One Act aims to provide emergency subsidies ranging from P5,000 to P8,000 per month for two months to approximately 18 million poor families nationwide, with a P200 billion budget allocated.

LGUs are also permitted to use more than 5% of their calamity funds, with the promise of additional funding and support from the national government.