Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 24) — The House committees on economic affairs and on social services approved on Monday the substitute bill and the committee report on the proposed ₱405.6-billion COVID-19 stimulus package known as the Bayanihan to Arise as One Act.
House Speaker Lord Allan Jay Velasco said 290 out of over 300 lawmakers have signed on to be co-authors of the so-called Bayanihan 3 bill.
“I urge our partners in the Senate and the Executive to fully partner with us in this mission. We need your help,” he said.
Velasco earlier said the House aims to approve the Bayanihan 3 bill on third and final reading before the sine die adjournment of Congress on June 5.
The latest draft of the Bayanihan 3 bill provides that “implementation ready” projects under the 2021 General Appropriations Act which have funds for later release or comprehensive release shall not be discontinued and appropriations for them shall be immediately released.
“Programs, activities and projects that have the highest multiplier effect and that promote countryside development, including infrastructure projects, shall be prioritized in the release of appropriations,” part of the bill’s Section 29 read.
AAMBIS-OWA party-list Rep. Sharon Garin, chair of the House committee on economic affairs, said the House wants at least ₱167 billion to help sectors affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Bayanihan 3 bill is divided into three phases, with a ₱167-billion funding sought for Phase 1, ₱191 billion proposed for Phase 2 and ₱47.6 billion for Phase 3.
Under Phase 1, all 108 million Filipinos will be given a ₱1,000 cash assistance regardless of their socioeconomic status. The Department of Social Welfare and Development will also be allotted ₱12 billion for emergency assistance to affected households.
The Department of Finance will have an ₱8-billion budget for wage subsidies, while the Department of Labor and Employment will receive ₱10 billion for assistance to displaced or disadvantaged workers.
A ₱20-billion allocation for the pension and gratuity fund of military and uniformed personnel is also proposed under the Bayanihan 3 bill’s first phase. A ₱5.6-billion budget for the Department of Education is also proposed for, among others, laptops for teachers, and mobile and internet allowance for DepEd personnel.
