Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has reiterated the need for funds to implement the proposed Bayanihan 3 law.
Go, chairman of the Senate committee of health and a close ally of the Duterte administration, maintained that government finance managers should first identify and certify the sources of funds for the proposed continuation of the COVID-19 stimulus package.
"Sang-ayon ako dito. Kung ano ang makakapagbigay ng tulong o ayuda, lalo na sa mga nawawalan ng trabaho, sa mahihirap nating kababayan, sang-ayon ako d’yan (I agree with this. Whatever will give help or assistance, especially for those who lost their jobs, our poor countrymen, I will support it),” he said in an interview during the launch of the 115th Malasakit Center at the Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital in Sta. Cruz, Manila.
“Pero tanungin natin ang ating finance managers, mahirap naman po magpasa ng batas na walang pondo o walang pagkukunan. Nakasalalay po sa finance managers kung may pondo o savings na pagkukunan para sa Bayanihan 3 (But let us ask our finance managers, it would be impractical to pass a law that would not be funded or not have sources of funds. Our finance managers must first determine if there are fund or savings that could fund the Bayanihan 3)," he, however, said.
"Kung pagpasa ng batas, walang problema sa akin. Importante po may pagkukunan ang programang ito (I have no problem with passing a law. But what's important are sources of the funds)," Go maintained.
The House of Representatives last Tuesday, May 25, approved on second reading an amended version of its "Bayanihan to Arise as One", which proposes to set aside P401 billion as additional COVID-19 response and recovery programs.
The lower chamber is set to approve it on third and final reading next week, before Congress adjourns sine die on June 4.
An appropriation measure, the Bayanihan 3 bill must first hurdle the House before the Senate could start discussions on the legislative measure.