Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 3) — Senators approved on second reading Wednesday Senate Bill No. 1546, getting a step closer to the eventual passing of the measure that would help Filipinos respond to the COVID-19 crisis.
In the House of Representatives, Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez filed House Bill 6811, a similar measure that seeks to amend Republic Act No. 11469 or the Bayanihan To Heal As One Act, and extend Duterte’s special powers by three months.
The approval was met with no objections.
The House of Representatives Committee of the Whole approved on Wednesday the substitute bill extending the validity of the Bayanihan Law.
Both houses of Congress have only until June 5 to pass the proposed law as they adjourn sine die on that date.
A total of ₱140 billion has been set aside for various programs effective until September 30 this year.
Under the Bayanihan We Recover As One Bill, low-income households in areas under enhanced community quarantine, and households with recently returned overseas Filipino workers will get a monthly subsidy.
Due to the problems encountered in the past months, the bill requires implementors to simplify and expedite the distribution of cash aid as well as submit a list of beneficiaries to Congress.
Displaced workers, including contractual employees, will also get cash assistance.
The bill also grants subsidy to college students in private schools and qualified private elementary, and junior and senior high school students. These students are not receiving any assistance from government educational subsidy or voucher programs and are facing financial difficulties.
Senator Sonny Angara said the Senate decided not to put the amount of subsidy for displaced workers and students to give leeway to the implementors to decide based on their financial capacity.
On Tuesday, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III said they saw no reason to extend discussions on the proposed law beyond Thursday.
He also pointed out that the bill filed by Senator Miguel Zubiri would be a new law and not merely extend the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act which gave President Rodrigo Duterte additional powers to counter the COVID-19 pandemic.
Should it be passed, the new law would give Duterte additional powers until September 30, 2020.
Last week, Zubiri said he was given assurance that Duterte would certify Senate Bill No. 1546 as urgent.
CNN Philippines’ Joyce Ilas contributed to this report.
