By Genalyn Kabiling  President Duterte may no longer call for a special session of Congress to pass the proposed Bayanihan measure that aims to boost the government’s response, a Palace official said Thursday. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (ACE MORANDANTE / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN) Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said they have obtained assurances from lawmakers about the passage of the measure before they adjourn their session this week. The Senate earlier passed on second reading the proposed Bayanihan to Recover as One Act, that allots P140 billion standby fund to sustain the government's coronavirus response. Senate Bill No. 1564, which will be effective until September 30, 2020, seeks to expand the financial aid to various sectors to mitigate the impact of the health crisis. In the House of Representatives, Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez has filed a measure that seeks to extend the existing Bayanihan law, which gives the President additional powers to respond to the pandemic, by three months. Last week, Roque said the proposed three-month extension of the Bayanihan law would be "ideal" to sustain the government efforts in containing the coronavirus outbreak. He said extending the law that gives President Duterte emergency powers to address the pandemic until September is "necessary” especially since the vaccine has yet to be discovered. Republic Act No. 11469, also known as the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, was signed by the President last March 24 and published on the Official Gazette the next day. The law remains in effect only for three months unless extended by Congress. The Bayanihan law grants the President additional powers such granting emergency subsidy for low income families, realigning funds in the national budget, directing the operation of private establishments, and requiring businesses to prioritize contracts for materials and services necessary for the crisis.