Sotto assures medical frontliners add'l benefits will be included in Bayanihan 2

Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Monday assured health workers at the forefront of the fight against COVID-19 that the suggested additional benefits for them would be incorporated in the proposed Bayanihan to Recover as One Act or Bayanihan 2.

"The issues of risk allowance, life insurance, free accommodations, free transportation, free and frequent COVID-19 testings, and the P10,000 or P15,000 [sickness benefit] for every health worker... I assure you we will incorporate it in the Bayanihan 2," Sotto told reporters in a virtual interview.

Last week, the Senate approved on third and final reading the second Bayanihan bill which outlines a P140-billion economic stimulus spending. Its counterpart in the House of Representatives is still being deliberated.

On Sunday night, President Rodrigo Duterte agreed that a P10,000 to P15,000 sickness benefit should be given to all health workers with COVID-19.

Under the first Bayanihan law, only health workers with severe cases of COVID-19 were entitled to a P100,000 sickness benefit.

Duterte said he wants additional perks for health workers to be included in the Bayanihan 2.

“So we are ready to consider itong—well, if you want to term it stipend or allowances or pay—give us time, we will make the report. Sana masali ito sa the second Bayanihan [Law]... Kung masali ito ibibigay ko ito sa inyo ora mismo,” he said.

Asked if these additional benefits that would be discussed during the bicameral conference would mean an increase on the budgetary requirement, Sotto said: "P140 billion at this point would be the peg but if necessary na kailangan magdagdag, kaya nang gawan ng paraan ng executive department 'yun."

Sotto said the two-week lockdown in the Senate would not affect any bicameral conferences, especially the ones for this Bayanihan 2 bill.

Senator Sonny Angara, principal sponsor of Bayanihan 2, also said the bicam discussions can be conducted virtually.

"We are just waiting for the House to pass and to elect its conferees then we can meet to discuss— which can be done online," he said in a message.

"Ratification of the bicam report is another thing. That may require some physical presence, however brief." —KBK, GMA News