By MB Online Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go said Thursday he will push for a special session of Congress to be called so that the legislative branch can tackle and pass measures granting a supplemental budget to give the President and concerned agencies maximum flexibility to reallocate and utilize funds as needed to combat the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Neophyte Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go
(FACEBOOK / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN) “The Executive Branch, led by the President, together with all concerned agencies, is doing everything it can to resolve this issue. We in the Legislative Branch are ready to do what we can to help, especially through much-needed legislative action, such as appropriating necessary funds to solve the crisis,” he said, further stressing that the government must always be ready to cushion the various threats of COVID-19 to the people and to the economy. Currently, a stimulus package plus additional funding from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, and contingency fund sources are readily available for the government to respond to the COVID-19 situation. However, Go said the legislative branch could step in and convene for the passage of a supplemental budget in order to ensure flexibility in the access of funds during this time. “If the abovementioned sources prove insufficient, I will recommend to the President that he may call for a special session so that Congress can deliberate on the need to approve a supplemental budget,” Go said. Go said additional funds can be allocated so that the government can deliver more financial and food assistance to Filipinos, particularly the vulnerable sectors, daily wage earners, and informal economy workers affected by the strict quarantine measures being imposed. “Sa ngayon, may sapat naman po tayong pondo. Pero hindi po tayo dapat maging kampante dahil evolving ang problema. Isipin din natin (For now, we have enough funds. But we shouldn't be complacent because the problem is evolving. We should think about) what happens in the coming days, what happens after the quarantine and let us think of all possible scenarios,” he added. Aside from legislation, Go mentioned that Congress may also help through its oversight functions, in ensuring that government programs are implemented despite the imposed enhanced quarantine and social distancing measures. “‘Wag nating hintayin na matapos ang krisis para silipin ang mga ito. Kailangan tayo ngayon. Siguraduhin natin na ang mga programa para tulungan ang mga nangangailangan ay naiimplementa ng maayos. Tuloy-tuloy dapat ang serbisyo,” he said. (Let's not wait for the crisis to be over to look into this. We are needed right now. We should ensure the implementation of programs so we can help those in need. Services should be uninterrupted.) Despite being on session break, Go said Congress must continue to find ways to respond to the needs of the people, especially at this time when decisive government action is needed the most. “Hindi pwedeng ipagpaliban ang pagtulong natin sa mga nangangailangan (We can't withhold our help from those who need it). Now, more than ever, we, as elected officials, must do everything we can to be of service to the Filipino people,” he said.