House finalizing Bayanihan 3 bill; eyes special session

House Deputy Speaker Michael “Mikee” Romero of 1-Pacman party-list. INQUIRER.net file photo / RYAN LEAGOGO

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives is now finalizing the proposed Bayanihan 3 as it pushes for a special session for the measure’s immediate approval, Deputy Speaker Mikee Romero said Tuesday.

Romero said once Bayanihan 3—which seeks to cushion the impact of the coronavirus pandemic through, among others, the provision of financial assistance to affected Filipinos—is finalized, House leaders will request for the Palace for the measure to be certified as urgent and call for the conduct of a special session for its approval.

The House and the Senate are currently on break and is set to resume on May 17.

“The figures are still being finalized by both HOR and Executive branch. Once finalized, Bayanihan 3 will be filed as urgent and special session will be called,” Romero told INQUIRER.net in a text message.

Romero said among the provisions in the Bayanihan 3 being finalized is the amount to be allotted for the measure.

“It’s really how much can the executive still allot for [B]ayanihan 3 and where to source funding,” Romero said.

Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, one of the principal authors of Bayanihan 3 in the House, has earlier revived his call for the passage of the measure, as he claimed Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III did not “shoot down” the proposal and was only asking for more time to look for funding.

Velasco said he got an assurance from Dominguez that efforts are being made to identify sources to fund Bayanihan 3.

Bayanihan 3 seeks to provide P420 billion to help the country recover amid the economic crash triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The measure also aims to also provide each household member P1,000 regardless of their economic status. On top of this, a P1,000 allowance shall likewise be given to each student and teacher while P8,000 shall be granted to every displaced worker.

JPV