THE Department of Energy (DOE) has issued a circular allowing communities hosting power generation facilities and fuel resources to utilize their monetary share from their projects on efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019.
The circular signed by DOE Secretary Alfonso Cusi on April 6, allows Energy Regulations 1-94 (ER 1-94) Program funds to be used for projects that will help these communities cope with the pandemi.
The funds are intended for electrification, livelihood and development projects.
Under the ER 1-94 program, power generation companies set aside P0.01 per kilowatt-hour of their total electricity sales as financial aid to their host communities.
“For our country to effectively and efficiently flatten the curve, we must ensure that all our local government units have the resources that would aid in containing, mitigating and eventually eliminating the spread of COVID-19 in their respective jurisdictions. Releasing available ER 1-94 funds to host communities would definitely add an additional boost to their on-going efforts to combat the disease,” Cusi said in a statement.
The circular states ER 1-94 funds can be temporarily used for the facilitation of mass testing by providing and constructing facilities or acquiring proper medical testing kits, including the payment of medical testing and analysis fees.
The money can now be used for provisions of an emergency subsidy in the form of non-food items to augment existing subsidy programs of the national government to low income households while the State of Public Health Emergency is still in effect.
The ER 1-94 funds are also to be used for assuring uninterrupted availability and access of essential commodities, particularly food and medicines via a mobile market as well as for feeding programs and provision of relief goods for low-income constituents.
The money can be disbursed for acquisition of personal protective equipment for frontline medical workers; decontamination/disinfecting of medical supplies and equipment; and for the construction or lease of additional medical facilities, tents, safe holding areas, including quarantine centers and distribution centers to accommodate the increasing number of patients and medical reliefs.
The fund can be used for electricity cost subsidies to newly constructed facilities of hospitals and health clinics, including the increase in electricity demand, as calculated, metered and certified by concerned distribution utilities by reason of COVID-19; provision of cremation or burial services to families affected by COVID- 19; and other reasonable and tangible efforts to manage and mitigate the effects of the disease to the community and individuals.
The circular will be effective for the entire duration of the State of Public Health Emergency.
