Members of the House of Representatives (HoR) met for a special session on Monday to address the country’s problems brought by the COVID-19 crisis.
Some members of the executive department led by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea have also joined the meeting.
The Lower House has turned into a committee of the whole to approve House Bill No. 6616 that aims to declare a national emergency due to problems caused by COVID-19.
The executive has personally requested the passage of the bill to speed up government measures in addressing the needs of the public, especially those affected by COVID-19.
“Our objective is to hasten the delivery of services to those suffering, to help and bring relief to the rest of the country, to earn a daily living,” Medialdea said.
Under House Bill No. 6616, President Rodrigo Duterte will be granted powers, which, once public interest requires, could make the Chief Executive control privately owned utilities and medical facilities, hotels, and other establishments that can be used as quarantine facilities.
Based on the bill, the President can also be given powers to realign government funds to address government needs in fighting the COVID-19 crisis, as long as it will not violate the constitution
The government has assured the bill will not be abused once it turns into a law.
The bill is now being debated on at the plenary since it has been passed into the committee of the whole. – Report from Daniel Manalastas
