President Duterte assured the public that the funds intended for the implementation of the Bayanihan to Recover As One (Bayanihan 2) Act will be spent wisely.
In his late-night public address on Monday, President Duterte said he made sure that not a single peso went to the pockets of government people during the implementation of the first Bayanihan Act which expired in June this year.
"I assure you that it was spent wisely, it was spent according to rules. Sinigurado ko 'yan (I made sure of that) at the start," he said.
"Walang hong ano d'yan, sindikato. Wala hong--sabihin mo na may-- nakawan (There was no syndicate there or corruption, if you may call it)," he added.
The President likewise vowed that the government will be careful with the implementation of the Bayanihan 2, adding that there is money that can be distributed to those in need.
"We will be careful with the next round of a Bayanihan ," Duterte said.
"There's still money to be, well, given to the people, to the poor," he added.
President Duterte signed the Bayanihan 2 into law on September 11. The measure provides for a P165.5-billion fund for the government's COVID-19 response efforts.
The stimulus plan consists of P140 billion worth of regular appropriations and an additional standby fund of P25.5 billion.
In his first report to Congress on the implementation of Bayanihan 2, President Duterte said the government will sustain and enhance its efforts to strengthen its capabilities to implement programs.
Under the Bayanihan 2, the government aims to reduce the adverse socioeconomic impact of the disease and enhance the capacity of the country's healthcare system to control and eliminate COVID-19.
The government likewise aims to accelerate the recovery and bolster the resilience of the Philippine economy and enhance fiscal and monetary policies to sustain COVID-19 measures.