President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. (FILE) TOTO LOZANO / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte certified as urgent two separate measures seeking to extend the validity of the 2020 national budget and the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act or Bayanihan 2 to address the COVID-19 pandemic.
Senate President Vicente Sotto III confirmed this in a text message to reporters Monday.
“Just received it [Duterte’s letter] (now),” Sotto said.
The House appropriations committee on Friday approved a consolidated bill extending the validity of COVID-19 appropriations under Bayanihan 2 until June 30, 2021.
Earlier, the House also approved a bill extending the validity of the 2020 budget until next year to boost the economic stimulus efforts of the government.