The City Council, during last Monday’s regular session, authorized Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong to enter into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Cordillera office of the Department of Health (DOH-CAR) on the construction of a temporary treatment monitoring facility (TTMF) and the need to facilitate the transfer of funds amounting to P10 million for the aforesaid purpose.
In a resolution, local legislators stated that whatever MOA that will be entered between the city government and the DOH-CAR shall likewise be submitted to the city council for confirmation pursuant to the pertinent provisions of Republic Act (RA) 7160 or the Local Government Code of the Philippines.
Earlier, City Health Officer Dr. Rowena Galpo, in her letter dated December 11, 2020 addressed to the local legislative body, requested the same pass a resolution authorizing the City Mayor to enter into a MOA with the DOH-CAR after the city was identified as one of the beneficiaries of a P10 million worth TTMF for probable and suspected Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in the city and to increase the isolation units available for the possible surge in COVID cases once the new strain of the deadly virus will be in the country.
On November 18, 2020, Dr. Ruby Constantino, DOH-CAR regional director, wrote Mayor Magalong informing the local government that amount of P10 million was allocated to the city for the construction of the proposed TTMF in any identified feasible site in the city to cater to the quarantine and isolation needs of the confirmed COVID cases.
Under the proposed agreement, the city government shall ensure that the TTMF will be constructed within city government-owned lots but in case the same is not feasible or possible, the TTMF shall be constructed near or within the premises of LGU-owned hospitals; ensure that a proof of lot ownership for the site where the TTMF will be constructed in favor of the city exists; conduct procurement activities for the construction project pursuant to RA 9184; prepare the detailed architectural and engineering design; secure environmental clearance from the environment department; ensure that the TTMF is constructed in accordance to approved plans and specifications; ensure that the project is not sub-contracted; monitor the implementation of the project; ensure that the infrastructure project is recorded in its book of accounts; ensure the turnover of the project as per plans and provide for the continuing maintenance and other operating expenses for the TTMF.
On the other hand, the DOH-CAR shall download the funds for the TTMF project to the recipient city; together with the city, co-supervise the construction of the project following project plans and specifications; conduct regular monitoring activities, attend meetings called by the city and call for meetings to resolve any construction-related issues, such as correction or revisions, and together with the city and Commission on Audit (COA), conduct final inspection or commissioning and acceptance of the project prior to submission of the acceptance report to the regional office of the budget department for final payment of the contractor.
The agreement shall be effective after both parties shall have affixed their respective signatures and shall remain in effect within the allowable time for the full expenditure of the project funds.
By Dexter A. See
