Dobong-gu Allocates 1.2 Billion Won for COVID-19 Response and 14.3 Billion Won Early Supplementary Budget

‘2020 Local Finance Rapid Execution Report Meeting’ Held, Rapid Execution of 135.7 Billion KRW Corresponding to 60% of Rapid Execution Target Amount... Early Supplementary Budget of 14.3 Billion KRW Including General and Special Accounts... Total 1.2 Billion KRW Budget Allocated from Contingency Fund and Disaster Management Fund for Health-Vulnerable Groups and Vulnerable Areas

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Dobong-gu (District Mayor Lee Dong-jin) has taken early supplementary budgeting and rapid execution measures in the first half of 2020 to actively respond to the local economic downturn caused by the nationwide spread of COVID-19.

The district held the '2020 Local Finance Rapid Execution Report Meeting' twice (1st: January 29, 2nd: February 25), the earliest among Seoul's autonomous districts, to discuss the progress of projects by department, the execution plan for the first half of the year, and ways to improve the execution rate.

At this report meeting, the district aimed to rapidly execute 60% (1.357 billion KRW) of the 2.261 billion KRW rapid execution target budget by June 30, which is above the Ministry of the Interior and Safety's goal of 57%. It also focused on thoroughly inspecting consumption and investment projects that have a significant ripple effect on the local economy and are tangible to residents, seeking management plans to revitalize the local economy severely depressed by COVID-19.

Specific execution strategies include strengthening project stage execution management by actively utilizing eight rapid execution guidelines such as △ implementing emergency bidding by shortening the announcement period △ promoting advance payment △ same-day payment for creditor claims, and conducting monthly periodic checks on the progress of rapid execution.

Furthermore, to restore consumer sentiment weakened by COVID-19, the district prepared an early supplementary budget and plans to rapidly execute the 2020 main budget as well as the supplementary budget to proactively respond to the economic downturn.

The supplementary budget totals 14.3 billion KRW, including general and special accounts, and was submitted to the 294th Dobong-gu extraordinary council session (16th to 27th). It includes △ 1.9 billion KRW for 10 projects such as constructing senior citizen centers and creating resting places for the visually impaired to alleviate inconveniences for vulnerable groups △ 600 million KRW for 5 projects to expand welfare facility staffing for local job creation △ 4.9 billion KRW for 13 projects to expand living SOC for resident safety and convenience.

In addition, to prevent and contain the spread of COVID-19, a total budget of 1.2 billion KRW has been allocated for △ operating screening clinics and supporting disinfectant supplies for multi-use facilities (800 million KRW) △ providing masks and hand sanitizers to health-vulnerable groups (300 million KRW) △ supporting living expenses for hospitalized and isolated individuals (100 million KRW), focusing all efforts on early termination of COVID-19.

Moreover, the district is actively participating in supporting local small business owners through the 'Campaign for All Employees to Use External Restaurants for Lunch.'

Lee Dong-jin, Mayor of Dobong-gu, stated, “In the situation where the local economy is shrinking due to the prolonged COVID-19 crisis, all employees will promote rapid execution to revitalize the local economy and stabilize residents' lives, making every effort to overcome COVID-19.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.