By Mario B. Casayuran
Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III said on Thursday that most senators agreed to suggest to President Duterte to call Congress to a special session for the purpose of passing a supplemental budget to support some specific items, primarily to respond to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis.
Senate President Vicente Sotto III
(PRIB Photo by Henz Austria / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson told Senate reporters this in a Viber message Wednesday afternoon just before most senators agreed to the special session after discussing the matter.
‘’The plight of the senior citizens' monthly subsidy even for a limited time, I'm sure, will be considered,’’ Lacson said.
The supplemental budget will allow the granting of a cash subsidy to those affected by the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine policy, Sotto said.
Later, Sotto said he would preside over the special session even as Malacañang mandated ‘’social distancing’’ to avoid the spread of the dreaded coronavirus.
READ MORE: Entire Luzon under quarantine