The third bill aiming to help Filipinos overcome the challenges of the impact of the Coronavirus disease (Covid) pandemic earns a strong support from a local legislator.
First District Cong. Edgar Chatto strongly backs the bill pushing for accelerated recovery and economic resilience, which the Lower House dubbed as the Bayanihan 3 bill.
“The 2021 Budget needs more specific and additional funding to support the country’s response to the pandemic through mechanisms to accelerate recovery and bolster economic growth,” he stated in a report released by Chatto’s office.
He explained that this important bill is intended to provide aid in the form of worker subsidies, unemployment assistance, capacity building for firms, Covid treatment and vaccines, and allowance to be used for internet “load”for teachers and students.
The bill further includes provisions for the rehabilitation of typhoon-hit areas as well as realignment of savings for infrastructure projects and for other provisions not requiring a budget.
In March this year, Congress passed Republic Act 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal As One which provided for immediate relief through the containment of local transmission of the disease, provision of basic necessities for affected families, management and sustainability of health care system, social amelioration. It also granted emergency powers to President Duterte to better equip government in its response to the impact of pandemic.
Moreover, this Sept. 2020, Republic Act 11494 or the Bayanihan to Recover As One was enacted into law to supplement Bayanihan 1 with interventions aimed at the reopening of the economy, support for businesses such as capital infusions to government financial institutions through low interest loans and credit guarantees; regulatory relief for loans, rents and utilities; assistance to tourism, transportation, education, and small business sector; assistance to the agriculture sector; and additional health and social services.
The Committee on Economic Affairs on Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020, created a technical working group that will consolidate House Bills 8031 and 8059, both pushing for interventions geared towards stimulating the economy, leading to full recovery from the impact of Covid pandemic.
Chatto is among co-authors with principal authors Cong. Stella Quimbo, Cong. Joey Salceda and Cong. Sharon Garin, who chairs the House Economic Affairs Committee.