MANILA, Philippines — Another bill pushing for a third Bayanihan Law—this time, amounting to P247 billion— was filed in the House of Representatives to help cushion the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic to the country.
Under House Bill No. 8059, Majority Leader Martin Romualdez, Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, and AAMBIS-OWA Rep. Sharon Garin said the third Bayanihan Law will be called “Bayanihan to Rebuild as One,” aiming to “put a stop and halt the COVID-19 disease in the Philippines through vaccine acquisition and free access to it.”
The bill pushes for a P20 billion funding for the Department of Health (DOH) for the procurement of COVID-19 medication and vaccines, as well as the creation of an Inter-Agency Committee on COVID-19 Cure and Prevention through Vaccination.
The measure also bats for a P40 billion local government support fund to provide financial assistance to local government units in their efforts to recover from the economic effects of COVID-19.
A P100 billion fund is also appropriated for the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for an enhanced Build, Build, Build program.
The bill also pushes for the following appropriations:
- Assistance to the agri-fishery sector – P10 billion
- Rent refinancing loans by government banks – P7 billion
- Payment protection loan facilities – P10 billion
- Assistance to displaced/disadvantaged workers – P20 billion
- Emergency assistance to affected households – P10 billion
- Medical assistance to indigents – P10 billion
- Trainings for displaced workers – P5 billion
- Assistance to education sector – P15 billion
“[The measure] further reconditions the economy particularly the sectors that have been gravely affected by the pandemic. It focuses on the government assistance to the banking sectors, rentals, business, livelihood, workers, agriculture, education, and health,” the lawmakers said in the bill’s explanatory note.
“With the gradual reopening of the businesses, it is timely for the government to spur the economy through efficient health, regulatory and fiscal policies,” they added.
Marikina City Rep. Stella Luz Quimbo earlier filed House Bill No. 8031 or the proposed Bayanihan to Arise as One Act, which aims to allot another P400 billion to help the economy recover from the coronavirus pandemic.