Taguig-Pateros Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano and his allies urged colleagues in the House of Representatives to pass the 10K Ayuda Bill, which seeks to provide P10,000 cash aid for every Filipino household.

The former House speaker said government currently has the resources to extend the financial assistance for Filipinos facing the adverse effects of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

“There is no question that our people are still in desperate need of assistance,” he said.

Cayetano called on House members to pass  House Bill No. 8597, saying that it should be given the same priority attention as the Bayanihan to Heal as One and the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act in 2020.

“Last year, together with the executive department, Congress was able to quickly pass the Bayanihan 1 and 2 Laws to help our people. Today, we call on our colleagues in (the) House of the People -- let us rise to the occasion once again and come to the aid of our people by giving them an additional P10,000 per Filipino family,” he said.

Camarines Sur 2nd District Rep. Luis Raymund “LRay” Villafuerte Jr., for his part, said the 10K Ayuda Bill will also help stimulate economic activity.

        “Iikot sa ekonomiya ‘yan. Ipangbibili ng pagkain, gamot. Gagamitin (ito) sa transportasyon. Malaking tulak ito para ma-improve ang ating ekonomiya., 

(It will circulate in the economy. The money can be used to buy food and medicine and pay for transportation. It’s a big push to improve our economy.),” said Villafuerte.

For his part, Laguna 1st District Rep. Dan Fernandez said the P10,000 cash aid can be used as capital for Filipino families to revive their livelihood.

“Mabibigyan po natin sila ng puhunan para magamit nila at maibsan ang kanilang kagutuman. (We will be able to give them cap;ital they can use to address their hunger),” Fernandez said.

Cayetano and his closest allies filed HB 5297 last month but the current leadership under Speaker Lord Allan Velasco appeared cold to the idea.

Instead, Velasco is pushing for his pet bill, HB 8628 or the Bayanihan to Arise as One Act, also known as Bayanihan 3.  

The Velasco bill proposes a P420 billion economic recovery stimulus fund. The bill has won the support of at least 220 House members, comprising the majority in the chamber.

However, the bill remained pending in the Lower House, apparently due to its failure to get the backing of the executive department.