Congressmen threw bipartisan support for the swift passage of the proposed Bayanihan 3 bill proposing a P420-billion fund that would help spur economic recovery from the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
(Lord Allan Velasco's Office / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
Authored by Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, House Bill 8628 or the proposed Bayanihan to Arise As One Act has won solid backing from 162 members of the House supermajority, minority and independent blocs.
Lawmakers manifested their support amid criticisms hurled by former Speaker and Taguig-Pateros Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano against HB 8628 which Velasco co-authored with Marikina City Rep. Stella Luz Quimbo.
Cayetano said the Velasco-Quimbo proposal “might not be approved in time to help those who need it the most,” referring to thousands of Filipinos who lost their jobs or were displaced economically by the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cayetano also took a jab at Velasco’s bid to prioritize Charter change moves which the Lower House Committee on Constitutional Amendments did when it adopted last week Resolution of Both Houses 02.
"This is precisely why we asked that we focus on what is important, #AyudaHindiChacha, so that we can give the best solutions to the problems facing the nation without any distractions,”said Cayetano, a staunch critic of the incumbent speaker.
HB 8628 seeks to allocate P108 billion for additional social amelioration to impacted households; P100 billion for capacity-building for impacted sectors; P52 billion for wage subsidies; P70 billion for capacity-building for agricultural producers; P30 billion for internet allowances to teachers and students; P30 billion for assistance to displaced workers; P25 billion for COVID-19 treatment and vaccines; and P5 billion for the rehabilitation of areas affected by recent floods and typhoons.
Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda, chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means, said lawmakers should not hesitate in approving these additional funds since these were not considered in the National Expenditure Program that Malacañang submitted last year to assist Congress in the review, deliberation and passage of the 2021 national budget.
Reports that the Philippine economy contracted 9.5 percent in 2020, the worst performance in the country’ post-war history, underscores the importance and urgency of passing swiftly Bayanihan 3, Salceda stressed. “In the pursuit of an economic rebound, restoring public trust and confidence on social and economic institutions is essential,” Salceda said. “Thus, it is important that the government take the lead in promoting business confidence and social welfare through increased, well-targeted spending.”