Quimbo files ‘Bayanihan 3’ bill to fortify gov’t response vs pandemic

Marikina 2nd District Rep. Stella Quimbo delivers a privilege speech on Monday, November 16, 2020, at the House of Representatives. Photo from the House of Representatives

MANILA, Philippines — A bill seeking additional funding to strengthen government response against the ongoing public health crisis, dubbed as the Bayanihan 3 bill, has been filed at the House of Representatives.

Marikina 2nd District Rep. Stella Quimbo on Tuesday filed House Bill No. 8031 or the proposed Bayanihan to Arise as One Act, which aims to allot another P400 billion to help the economy recover from the coronavirus pandemic.

Under the bill, the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) is tasked to craft a long-term plan which shall be resilient from future shocks such as pandemics and typhoons.

It also mandates the agency to review the Flood Management Master Plan for Metro Manila and surrounding areas to improve disaster risk reduction and resilience.

“Malaki po ang itutulong ng Bayanihan III sa pagbangon ng bansa – dagdag at mas matibay na mga programang may halagang 400 billion pesos. Rescue boat ito sa Pilipinong binabaha ng krisis. Sisiguruhin ng Bayanihan III na sapat ang pondo para sa mga kritikal na programa at tama ang plano para sa mas matatag na ekonomiya,” Quimbo said in a statement.

(The Bayanihan 3 would be a big help in the recovery of the country. This is a rescue boat for Filipinos overwhelmed by the crisis. The Bayanihan 3 would ensure that funding is adequate for critical programs and plans are appropriate for a stronger economy.)

READ: Quimbo pushes for Bayanihan 3 as PH continues fight vs COVID-19

She said the projection of the country’s economic managers of a 5.5 percent decline in the economy is “highly unlikely” considering the contraction of 11.5 percent in the third quarter and 16.9 percent in the second quarter, based on the November 10 data of the Philippine Statistics Authority.

“Ang taya ng ilang eksperto, 8-10 percent ang ibabagsak ng ekonomiya sa taong 2020. Kung ito ay tama, 3.3 trillion pesos ang mawawala sa ekonomiya. Yet the 2021 national budget is designed with a 5.5-percent projection in mind,”  she pointed out.

(The projection of some experts, the economy would contract 8-10 percent in 2020. If this is right, P3.3 trillion will be lost to the country’s economy.)

Quimbo said the bill ensures adequate funding for vaccine procurement and a steady stream of aid to low-income families.

It also aims to provide calamity intervention measures such as cash-for-work, emergency subsidies, adequate infrastructure funds for typhoon-stricken areas, among others.

Worker subsidies are also provided in the measure, which shall cover pay for testing and sick leaves, among others, as well as capacity-building programs for critically impacted businesses to assist them in adapting to the new normal.

The proposal likewise seeks to extend the effectivity of the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act or Bayanihan 2.

KGA

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