House ready to hold special session on coronavirus response

MANILA, Philippines — Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano on Thursday said House lawmakers are ready to hold a special session to tackle measures in response to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

Cayetano said rules can be amended to cater to lawmakers who are also under self-quarantine.

“We are willing to have Special Sessions to come up with a feasible and pragmatic economic package. We can adapt special rules like online voting if necessary, and practice social distancing measures to accommodate all our members, including those who are currently in self-quarantine,” Cayetano said.

The House committee on appropriations earlier approved a P1.6-billion supplemental budget for the country’s response against COVID-19.

However, Congress was not able to fully approve the budget before the start of its Lenten break last week.

Senator Vicente Sotto III on Thursday morning said majority of the senators concurred with his suggestion to ask the executive department to request a special session from Congress to allow cash subsidy to those affected by the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon.

Other proposals

Cayetano, meanwhile, also wants to prioritize measures seeking to make utilization of government funds for the implementation of “vital projects” more flexible.

The lower chamber, likewise, is proposing a measure that will finance a comprehensive economic stimulus package that will mitigate the effects of COVID-19 to the tourism and informal sector as well as to the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

“We have started discussions with our colleagues in Congress and the Executive on how to operationalize short and medium term economic programs, and reduce bureaucratic procedures to help those who are going to be adversely affected by COVID-19,” Cayetano said.

EDV