Sen. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara on Thursday said the bicameral conference committee retained the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) under the reconciled version of the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act or Bayanihan 2 but the distribution of the cash aid this time would be targeted.
(Senator Sonny Angara Official Facebook Page / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
According to Angara, the granting of the emergency subsidy amounting to P5,000 to P8,000 would be limited to those under extended hard lockdown and to families of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who were forced to return home due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Senate finance chief, who is also part of the Senate contingent in the bicameral conference committee, also said critically impacted sectors that did not receive any cash aid under the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act or Bayanihan 1 will also be entitled to the SAP.
“The emphasis would be on those who did not receive (anything under Bayanihan 1), those retrenched OFWs, returning OFWs. This version is much more targeted,” Angara said in a virtual interview.
Also under the reconciled version of the measure, P4.5 billion would be allocated for the establishment of additional isolation and quarantine facilities, field hospitals, and dormitories for frontliners.
The measure also seeks P5 billion funding for contact tracing efforts; P3 billion for the procurement of personal protective equipment (PPE), and P10-billion standby funds for the procurement of vaccines.
The reconciled version of the Bayanihan 2 also seeks P13 billion as assistance for displaced workers and P9.5 billion for the transportation industry.
Angara had earlier said the bicameral conference committee agreed to a P140-billion regular appropriation, with an additional P25-billion standby appropriation should funds be readily available.
The senator also assured that both houses of Congress were able to settle the contentious provision for the P10-billion assistance to the tourism sector.
The bill will also allocate P8.9 billion as additional funds for the education sector.
Angara also said the reconciled version of the measure sought to expand the reportorial requirements to ensure transparency and efficient use of public funds.
Once passed into law, the Office of the President would be required to submit to Congress a monthly report on the progress of Bayanihan 2.
But aside from Congress, the OP would also be required to submit its report to the Commission on Audit (CoA).
“That’s the request of the Executive. They want to show also that they’re going to be transparent in the usage of funds,” Angara said.