House of Representatives mapping out return to session plans amid coronavirus concerns
MANILA, Philippines – House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano on Friday said he still needs to consult leaders of the lower chamber on how they will convene on May 4, given that the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in some areas including Metro Manila has been extended.
“I have to consult leaders of the House but most probably kung paano din kami nagconvene noong March 23 (it will also be done on how we did it last March 23),” he said in an interview with reporters.
Cayetano was referring to the March 23 special session of the Senate and the House of Representatives when measure declaring a national emergency in the country due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and granting President Rodrigo Duterte more powers to address its pressing matters were tackled.
Under the March 23 setup, some lawmakers from the House of Representatives were physically present while some were present online.
“Totoo na may risk at danger pero ang katotohanan kailangang makita ng tao na may gobyerno, na ‘yung gobyerno nagtatrabaho [para] sa kanila (It’s true that there are risks but the people have to know that there is a government that works for them),” he added.
According to Cayetano, the House will also “look into” the 2019 and 2020 national budgets “to see if the government and the DBM (Department of Budget and Management) are canceling the right projects.”
“Remember, there is life after ECQ, and after ECQ siguro may COVID pa rin diba (COVID-19 will still exist). It still means that dapat may development sa bawat sulok ng ating bansa (there should still be developments taking place in country),” he explained.
The ECQ in Luzon was supposed to end on April 30 but has been extended in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, and other “high-risk” areas until May 15 by President Duterte.
