Bayanihan 3 bill worth P405.6 approved by House appro panel

The P405.6 billion Bayanihan 3 bill was approved by the House committee on appropriations on Friday.

Ways and means committee chairperson Joey Salceda’s move to push the measure, which he calls a “lifeline package,” was approved.

Under Phase 1 of the proposed Bayanihan 3, a total of P108 billion is allotted for assistance for all Filipinos, regardless of socioeconomic status.

Marikina City Representative Stella Quimbo, one of the principal authors, has said that all Filipinos would receive at least P1,000 cash aid under the Bayanihan 3.

Another P108 billion is being allocated in Phase II.

“At this point in time, talagang hunger is a real problem. Hunger incidents reached its highest at 30% in the third quarter of last year. Dumoble po ang hunger incidents in the last 12 months. That’s the reason why this bill is essentially an ‘ayuda bill,'” Quimbo said.

The third Bayanihan bill also seeks to assist families affected by COVID-19, the agriculture and fishery sector, wage subsidies for MSMEs, teachers, and overseas Filipino workers.

Bayanihan 3 bill worth P405.6 approved by House appro panel

Meanwhile, Gabriela party-list Representative Arlene Brosas, who has pushed for a P10,000 assistance per family, questioned why the assistance will not be given as a one-time payment.

“Since isa po kami sa mga nagsusulong nito, lalong-lalo na sa ayuda to all Filipinos, talaga namang kinocommend namin na ipasa itong ayuda. Kasi po two tranches, Phase I and Phase II… bakit hindi isang bigayan na lang? What is hindering us?” Brosas asked.

House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco promised that he will speed up the plenary approval of the proposed Bayanihan 3 that would help the Philippine economy recover from the COVID-19 crisis.

The economic team of the Philippines is looking for additional sources of revenue to fund the Bayanihan 3 or the Bayanihan to Arise As One Act currently pending in Congress.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said the economic team is now working with Congress leaders regarding the bill.