Angra, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee added that he, along with Senate President Tito Sotto and Senate Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto, earlier met with leaders from the House of Representatives to discuss the matter.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 11) — There may not be enough time to pass another stimulus package or a third version of the Bayanihan bill to cover the remaining weeks of the year after Bayanihan 2 ends on December 19, Senator Sonny Angara said Wednesday.
The Bayanihan to Recover as One Act, more commonly known as Bayanihan 2, was signed in September and earmarked ₱165.5-billion for pandemic response and recovery. As of October 29, almost ₱78 billion had been released, according to the Budget Department. The law expires on December 19.
“There was talk of a possible stimulus if not next year, even later this year, if the congressional schedule will allow,” he said in response to Senator Imee Marcos’ question about the possibility of a Bayanihan 3 during the plenary debates on the 2021 national budget. “Given there’s only a few weeks left in our calendar, it might be a tall order.”
He said House leaders “feel strongly” about another Bayanihan measure, but he had not yet sought the opinion of Cabinet members.
