P140-B fund proposed in Bayanihan 2 bill ‘not enough’ – Drilon
MANILA, Philippines — The P140-billion budget approved by the Senate for the Bayanihan to Recover as Once Act, or Bayanihan 2, is not enough to respond to economic problems caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Senate Minority Franklin Drilon said on Saturday in an interview over AM radio station DWIZ.
Drilon said more funds would be needed for financial assistance of the public duriing a lockdown.
“It will help if we can have a sufficient budget. The P140 billion is not enough. We have more needs because we can’t control the spread of the virus. Under a lockdown, our economy is dead. We need SAP [Social Amelioration Program] to give temporary relief to our countrymen. The 20 million who are poor must be helped,” the senator said, speaking partly in Filipino.
Last July, Senate approved the Bayanihan 2 bill on third and final reading to replace the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, which expired in June.
The Bayanihan 2 bill is an economic recovery measure amid the threat of coronavirus disease.
Last Aug. 5, the House of Representatives was approved its counterpart measure on second reading.
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