Senate, new DBM chief should tackle Bayanihan 3 if COVID-19 restrictions continue – Zubiri

 Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel “Migz” F. Zubiri (Voltaire Domingo/Senate PRIB)

MANILA, Philippines — If government restrictions continue amid an uptick in COVID-19 cases in the country, the Senate leadership would need to meet with the new budget chief about the Bayanihan 3 proposal, which aims to help affected Filipinos and “distressed” sectors.

“Baka maging strict pa rin sila then yes, kailangan nating pagusupan ang posibilidad na magkaroon tayo ng Bayanihan 3. Ang problema natin ngayon ay nag-resign po ang ating DBM (Department of Budget and Management) Secretary (Wendel Avisado) so we have to meet with the new secretary of the DBM to discuss the possibility of a Bayanihan 3,” Zubiri told reporters in an interview.

(They may remain strict then yes, we need to talk about the possibility of having a Bayanihan 3. Our problem now is that our DBM Secretary resigned so we have to meet with the new secretary of DBM to discuss the possibility of  a Bayanihan 3.)

“We cannot just single-handedly pass a law without consulting the national government, particularly the national treasurer, the Department of Budget and Management and the Department of Finance kung magkano ang i-allot natin dito sa Bayanihan 3 na ito [on how much we should allot for the Bayanihan 3),” he added.

Avisado earlier resigned due to medical reasons. Zubiri said he and Senate President Vicente Sotto III met with Avisado a month or two ago, prior to the latter’s resignation.

READ: Palace: DBM chief Avisado resigns due to medical reasons

The meeting came after the House of Representatives passed its version of the Bayanihan 3 bill, which has a proposed allocation of P401 billion.

The executive branch, however, said it can only spend P150 billion for the measure, according to Zubiri.

“Ang sabi ng executive at that time, nung kinausap po namin ni Senate President Sotto, ang makakaya ng executive at that time was only about P150 billion, they’re only looking at P150 billion,” Zubiri said.

(At that time, the executive said, when Senate President Sotto and I talked to them, they can only afford to spend P150 billion, they’re only looking at P150 billion.)

Zubiri said that if Bayanihan 3 focuses on only providing cash assistance to those affected by lockdowns and “distressed” industries, that amount will be adequate.

“That’s the discussions as of now on how we can continue with this ayuda lalung-lalu na na may agam-agam at mga tsismis na baka ma-extend yung ECQ (enhanced community quarantine) kung hindi po bababa ang ating numbers at lalong tumaas ang ating numbers, there might still be some strict regulations on travels, on being able to move around the city,” the senator said.

(That’s the discussions as of now on how we can continue with this ayuda, especially with rumors that the ECQ may be extended if the number of cases rises and continues to rise, certain restrictions might still apply to travel and the ability to move around the city.)

Metro Manila is placed under ECQ until Aug. 20. This quarantine status can either be extended or eased.

Malacañang said an announcement whether Metro Manila will remain under ECQ will be made by Thursday.

Zubiri, meanwhile, pointed out that the country is now under a “difficult” fiscal position since the government would also need to fund the proposed P5-trillion 2022 national budget.

READ: ‘Highest-ever’ P5 trillion budget for 2022 eyed submitted to Congress on Monday

“We’re also preparing to fund our 2022 budget which is P5 trillion. Kaya medyo we’re in a difficult situation now dahil we’re already going into the third quarter of the year. And in the third quarter of the year, we need to give out ayuda to our people but at the same time, we need to also fund the P5 trillion budget of 2022. So medyo mabigat ang fiscal position ng ating bansa ngayon,” he said.

“Therefore, money has to be spent efficiently,” he added.

Metro Manila is placed under ECQ until Aug. 20. This quarantine status can either be extended or eased.