Bicam for Bayanihan 2 adjourns; ratification expected within the day

The bicameral meeting for the finalization of the proposed Bayanihan to Recover as One Act or Bayanihan 2 adjourned on Thursday noon, according to Senator Sonny Angara.

"We just adjourned and we hope to ratify later. The total is still P140 billion with allotments for various government programs to help our affected countrymen and sectors and an additional P25 billion standby appropriations," he said in a message.

Angara added that both houses have settled the contentious provision for the P10 billion assistance to the tourism sector.

"The help for the tourism industry and stakeholders is intact and preserved," he said.

Without giving out specific figures yet, Angara said some of the aid to the tourism industry will go to the Labor Department for distribution to affected tourism workers; to the Small Business Corporation under the Department of Trade and Industry for assistance to tourism stakeholders; and to infrastructure programs.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, also a member of the bicam, gave more detailed information on the help for the tourism sector: P6 billion will go to tourism MSMEs; P3 billion will be distributed to displaced tourism workers; and P1 billion was earmarked for tourism infrastructure under the Department of Public Works and Highways.

Senator Imee Marcos also told reporters in a virtual interview that around P6 billion will go to the Department of Social Welfare and Development for its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program.

She added that P10 billion has been allocated as "standby fund" for COVID-19 testing, COVID-19 medication, and vaccine.

House Deputy Speaker LRay Villafuerte also confirmed that the Bayanihan 2 bill has been approved by the bicam. 

Malacañang welcomed the development.

"We are thankful for the cooperation extended by both houses of Congress," presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a televised briefing.

Roque added there is really not much difference between the government’s proposal and the harmonized version of the bill.

"I think they were faithful naman po sa request ng Palasyo. Hindi po tumaas masyado [compared to the original P140-billion proposal]. Hindi naman nagkakalayo," he said. — with Virgil Lopez/KBK/RSJ, GMA News