By Daniel Manalastas
House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco is open to holding a special session to discuss the provision of additional aid to assist persons living in areas under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), currently being implemented in the National Capital Region and four nearby provinces.
This was his response to Senator Franklin Drilon, who appealed to Malacañang to call for a special session in a radio interview over DZRH, to augment funds for those affected by the ECQ and to pass the Bayanihan 3 bill.
“Yes, if need be,” Velasco wrote in a text message to PTV News.
Velasco is one of the main authors of the Bayanihan 3 bill which seeks to provide additional economic stimulus for the government in combating the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Bayanihan 3 bill also provides P108 billion for additional social amelioration.
The proposed legislation is currently pending at the committee level.
“Right now, the Bayanihan 3 and related bills are already being studied by the committee on economic affairs and social services. By the time the measures are finished at the committee level, we would have resumed session in May,” Velasco told PTV News.
“However, if Malacañang certifies the bill as urgent, we will comply.”
