Pangilinan files bill to extend Bayanihan 2 until December 2021

FILE PHOTO: Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan. (Screen grab/ Senate PRIB)

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Francis Pangilinan on Monday filed a bill that intends to further extend the validity of provisions and availability of COVID-19 funds under the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act or Bayanihan 2.

Pangilinan filed Senate Bill No. 2218, calling for the extension of Bayanihan 2’s effectivity until December 31, 2021.

Congress had earlier extended Bayanihan 2 until June 2021. The effectiveness of the law was initially supposed to lapse in December last year.

“As per DBM (Department of Budget and Management), kalahati pa lang ng pondo ng Bayanihan 2 ang nagagamit at mag-e-expire na ito sa June 30,” Pangilinan said in a statement.

“Kailangan gamitin ang natitirang pondo para pabilisin ang roll-out ng vaccination at pigilan ang pagtaas ng kaso ng Covid,” he added.

Pangilinan, in the bill’s explanatory note, cited the DBM’s Budget Utilization Report as of April 15 this year which showed that the total allotment1 under the Bayanihan 2 amounts to over P259.8 billion.

The senator noted that of this amount, over P132.64 billion or 51.06 percent has been obligated.

Of the amount obligated, more than P93.3 billion or 70.34% has been disbursed.

“This is alarming, it’s been a long time since we have implemented Bayanihan 2, but only over 50 percent of the budget has been obligated. Mabagal ang takbo [It’s slow-paced],” Pangilinan went on.

“If we want to fast-track our efforts against Covid, we have to utilize all our available resources for healthcare, vaccination roll-out, testing, and prevention,” he added.

Pangilinan’s bill also seeks a monthly report on the “targets and actual accomplishments of government programs, strategies, plans and efforts relative to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as relevant and more granulated health-related data, and such other information which Congress may require.”

According to the bill, the monthly report should be submitted every first Monday of the month.

KGA