Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 5) — Senate Majority Leader Migz Zubiri said senators are studying the possibility of passing a Bayanihan 2 bill that will expand the first Bayanihan Act.
Zubiri said there are proposals from lawmakers to expand the coverage of the Social Amelioration Program to include more beneficiaries particularly lower middle income families.
“For example, may-ari ng isang Grab vehicle. Nagbabayad ng loan sa bangko, walang trabaho. Pamilya, kelangan kumain, di makabyahe. Pero under the Social Amelioration Program, di kasama kasi may sasakyan. We’d like to expand the next round to include lower income families,” Zubiri explained.
Zubiri said they will also discuss with the Department of Social Welfare and Development if there is still a need to extend the cash aid program beyond two months.
Under the Bayanihan Act, 18 million poor families will receive P5,000 to P8000 per month for two months.
But before Congress allocates more funds for the cash aid program, the executive branch needs to ensure first 100 percent distribution of the first tranches of the financial assistance under the Bayanihan Act, Zubir said.
The senator said many local leaders are complaining that they have yet to receive their share in the cash aid program.
“Ang report galing sa Malacanang, di pa umaabot sa 50 percent ang pagbibigay ng Social Amelioration Funds sa ating mga kababayan. At this point in time we want to make sure na bago tayo magrelease ng pera sa ating mga government agencies for Social Amelioration, dapat 100 percent na po ang naibigay sa ating gma kababayan. Ayaw natin mabacklog,” Zubiri said.
Zubiri added senators also want to include a provision giving fiscal incentives to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and large scale enterprises affected by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He noted there is a need to prioritize how to jumpstart the economy and control any increase in poverty incidence.
“Napakarami nawalan ng trabaho. Construction natigil. Iyong mga ibinabayad na minimum wage earners ay nawalan ng trabaho. Kailangan po natin balikan iyon kasi kung hindi, gutom naman ang mararamdaman ng ating mga kababayan,” Zubiri explained.
Senate priority measures
For his part, Senate President Tito Sotto said among the priority measures the Senate plans to take up is the bill he filed postponing this year’s school opening to September.
The two houses of Congress only have a month left before the first regular session ends on June 5.
Sotto said there is a need to give the Department of Education more time to prepare and adopt measures for the new normal in the educational system.
The Education Department earlier announced the opening of classes in late August.
Under Republic Act 7977, the start of school calendar for every year is June, but may be extended to the end of August.
“Now, the issue of August or September. August, you don’t need the law, di ba? We don’t need the bill. Pero, what if there is a second wave [of COVID-19 infections]? Paano sasagutin ng DepEd yan, they will now be violating the law dahil ia-adjust nila ng August. So best na talagang ipasa naming yung bill na yun,” Sotto explained.
Sotto added his bill gives President Duterte the power to adjust the schedule of school opening in cases of national emergency.
He said the Senate will also prioritize the passage of the Medical Scholarship Bill.
The measure aims to make medical courses free.
“Iyon ang nagpipigil sa kanila ngayon, kukuha ng medicine, mahal. Ito, the law will allow that and siguradong mas maraming Pilipino ang gustong matuto pagka libreng maging doktor.” Sotto said.
