House OKs Bayanihan To Recover As One Act on 2nd reading

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives on Wednesday approved on second reading the proposed Bayanihan to Recover As One Act to cushion the impact of the coronavirus pandemic to the country.

Through voice voting, members of the lower chamber approved House Bill No. 6953 which would provide Filipinos with various forms of relief during the pandemic.

In his earlier sponsorship speech, Deputy Speaker Luis Raymund Villafuerte Jr. said these include an emergency subsidy to workers, cash-for-work programs, prevention and control of other diseases, support programs for impacted sectors, and support for the agricultural sector.

“It encompasses subsidies for displaced workers from regular employees to contract workers, displaced OFWs, students both in public and private institutions, [micro, small, medium enterprises] as well as farmers and fisherfolk,” Villafuerte said.

During the interpellation for the second reading approval of the measure, Villafuerte said: “[The Bayanihan To Recover As One Act] contains similar provisions as contained in the Bayanihan To Heal As One Act. But this is a new and enhanced version — meaning we have put in improved [and] enhanced provisions that will help the economy bounce back and help our people, also the affected sectors cope with the COVID-19.”

The bill seeks P162-billion standby fund that will be used “to support operations and response measures to address the COVID-19 pandemic.”

/atm