The proposed P405.6 billion Bayanihan 3 law that will grant all Filipinos P1,000 to P2,000 cash aid and another P10,000 each for families that absorbed the serious impact of the raging novel coronavirus disease (COVID 19) pandemic, won swift approval from two House of Representatives committees on Monday, May 3.
In a joint committee hearing conducted by the House Committees on Economic Affairs and on Social Services, chaired by Albay Rep. Joey Sarte-Salceda and Quezon City Rep. Alfred Vargas, respectively, six bills to be consolidated were approved and will be sent to the Committee on Appropriations that will decide on the proposed P405.6 billion allocation.
The proposed Bayanihan to Arise as One Act or Bayanihan 3, a bill principally authored by Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, will include provisions of similar economic stimulus measures filed by several congressmen, including Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, Reps. Carlos Isagani Zarate (Bayan Muna); Arlene Brosas (Gabriela Partylist); Dan Fernandez (NUP, Laguna); Alan Peter Cayetano (NP, Taguig-Pateros); Stella Luz Quimbo (Marikina City) and Sarah Jane Elago (Kabataan Partylist).
Deputy Speaker and Abono Partylist Rep. Conrado Estrella III moved for joint committee approval of the measure as he argued that clarification and objections may still be raised by any House member as soon as the bill is deliberated upon in the appropriations committee until the plenary.
Salceda said a salient provision of the legislative proposal is the proposed universal basic income (UBI) that will be included in the Kalinga (care) provision of the measureA P108 billion appropriations will be allocated to the Department of Social Welfare and Development that is tasked to distribute P1,000 to P2,000 to all Filipinos as emergency and special COVID 19 assistance program or Ayuda.
Additional one time P5,000 to P10,000 in cash subsidy will be distributed to families in areas declared under Enhanced Community Quarantine or other quarantine systems with stricter level of restrictions.
For the Kabuhayan (Livelihood) chapter of the bill, the House panels proposed a P12 billion additional appropriations to the DSWD for emergency assistance to households and individuals affected by the crisis. This will be called Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations.
Additional one time P5,000 to P10,000 in cash subsidy will be distributed to families in areas declared under Enhanced Community Quarantine or other quarantine systems with stricter level of restrictions.
For the Kabuhayan (Livelihood) chapter of the bill, the House panels proposed a P12 billion additional appropriations to the DSWD for emergency assistance to households and individuals affected by the crisis. This will be called Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations.
To support Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, an P8 billion Small Business Wage Subsidy has been proposed.
The Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Displaced/Disadvantaged Workers, COVID 190 Adjustment Measures Program (CAMP) and Abot Kamay ang Pagtulong (AKAP) for assistance to displaced workers will be implemented with a P10 billion appropriations to the Department of Labor and Employment.
Standby funds totaling P20 billion will be appropriated for services and interventions that will guarantee immunity of Filipinos against the COVID 19.
Some P40 billion will go to the agri-fishery sector as subsidies, loans and grants and capacity building assistance.
Medical assistance to indigents will get P9 billion allocation.