House of Representatives. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives Committee on Economic Affairs and Committee on Social Services, in a joint hearing on Monday, approved the unnumbered substitute bill and committee report on the Bayanihan 3 bill.
This came after the proposed P405.6 billion Bayanihan 3 law, known as the Bayanihan To Arise As One, has now been set for plenary debates at the House after it gained the approval of the committee on appropriations on Friday, May 21.
According to Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, one of the key proponents of the measure, at least 290 members of the chamber are major writers and co-writers of the proposed bill.
Bayanihan 3 includes the provision of P2,000 cash aid per Filipino, regardless of social status. This cash aid will be given in two tranches, amounting to P1,000 per tranche.
Bayanihan 3 likewise seeks to provide wage subsidies, assistance to displaced workers, housing relief, assistance to the agri-fishery sector, medical assistance, and support to basic education, among others.
It also seeks to help pandemic-affected households through a one-time cash subsidy program worth P5,000 to P10,000, which will be conducted by the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
AAMBIS-Owa Party-list Rep. Sharon Garin, who chairs the Committee on Economics Affairs, underscored the importance of the direct assistance the Bayanihan 3 bill will provide amid the pandemic.
“Ito ‘yung immediate need. We do recognize that is more direct, kasi ito talaga ang pangangailangan. People are desperate. I think if we announce another quarantine, people will revolt na. It’s very difficult for them kaya direct na yung assistance na naisip,” Garin said.
(This is what people need immediately. We do recognize that is more direct because this is what is really needed. People are desperate. I think if we announce another quarantine, people will revolt. It’s very difficult for them so the assistance is direct.)
The proposed Bayanihan 3 is one of the lower chamber’s top priorities before it adjourns sine die on June 5.