By Vanne Elaine Terrazola A bill extending the validity of the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act until September 30, 2020, has been filed in Senate, even as Senate President Vicente Sotto III assured the passage of the law's extension. Senator Vicente Sotto III
(Senate of the Philippines / MANILA BULLETIN) Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri introduced Senate Bill No. 1546 to propose the extension of the Republic Act No. 1168 "to allow the government to continue its response in addressing the threat and impact of COVID-19 in the country". He said that the three-month extension of the law's validity will particularly allow President Duterte to continue to "exercise the realignment of items in the national budget and other powers granted to him...to be able to provide emergency support for vulnerable groups and individuals, expand medical resources to fight COVID-19, and finance emergency initiatives to keep the country afloat." The Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, signed last March 24, is only valid for three months, or until June 24. Among others, it authorized the President to discontinue programs in the executive department under the 2019 and 2020 national budgets and realign funds to support the programs responding to the national health emergency. It also includes the provision of two-month cash aid to 18 million low-income households, as well as benefits for health workers who are treating COVID-19 patients. In filing the bill last Tuesday, May 26, Zubiri said more COVID-19 cases were being reported daily "despite claims of flattening the curve." As of May 27, coronavirus infections have reached 15,049, with deaths totaling to 904. "It is apparent that the country is far from seeing the end to this extraordinary situation, and the threat to life and livelihood persists," he said. A similar bill is also pushed in the House of Representatives. On Wednesday, Senate President Vicente Sotto III assured that the Upper Chamber will "undoubtedly" extend the Bayanihan Act.