Senate, House agree on P162-B funding for proposed ‘Bayanihan 2’

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate and the House of Representatives have agreed to set the funding for the proposed Bayanihan to Recover As One Act at P162 billion, Senate House Minority Leader Franklin Drilon revealed Sunday.

“Nagkakasundo ang dalawang panig na siguro aabot tayo sa P162 billion. Payag ang senado diyan,” he said in an interview over dzBB.

Drilon was one of the senators who was part of the bicameral conference committee, which sought to reconcile the disagreeing provisions of the Senate and the House’s version of the proposed Bayanihan 2 Law.

The Senate had proposed a P140 billion fund for the measure while the House proposed P162 billion.

Drilon said P10 billion have been allotted to COVID-19 PCR testing; P15 billion for cash for work program; P17 billion for cash subsidy for employees in small businesses; P50 billion for the government’s loan program; P17 billion for the agriculture sector; P10 billion for transportation sector.

The proposed Bayanihan 2 Law will also provide P5,000 to P8,000 cash subsidy to families in the informal sector.

“Mayroon iyan [Social Amelioration Program], P5,000 to P8,000 depende kung saang lugar,” he said.

Congress likewise agreed to provide a P15,000 cash assistance to health workers who contracted COVID-19 with mild symptoms; P100,000 for severe cases; and P1 million for those who succumb to the disease.

They also approved a provision temporarily suspending the requirement for certain permits for the installation and operation of telecommunication towers in the next three years.

The bicameral conference committee will resume its meeting on Monday at 10 a.m.

JE