The House of Representatives appropriations committee on Friday (May 21) approved the Bayanihan 3 Bill that will further address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.
Several lawmakers are now calling for the P405.6 billion bill to be certified as urgent. Two tranches of P1,000 assistance will be handed to all Filipino beneficiaries through the proposed law.
“With the Bayanihan 3 bill hurdling the House panel on appropriations, we reiterate our demand for the President to certify the measure as urgent to make its transmittal to the Senate and to the Office of the President possible before the sine die adjournment,” Gabriela Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas said.
The measure that includes a stimulus package is expected to be discussed at the plenary on Monday. Marikina Rep. Stella Quimbo said this is within their set deadline before the Lower House’s session adjournment in June.
Bayanihan 3 will also support the agri-fishery sector, displaced workers, seafarers, overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), and retired uniformed personnel.
Based on a substitute bill copy obtained by PTV, the needed fund may be extracted from the 2021 General Appropriations Act, from government savings, and from excess revenue collections.
House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco earlier said they continue to coordinate with the Department of Budget and Management and Department of Finance to ensure Bayanihan 3 funding. – Report from Daniel Manalastas/AG-rir
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