House leaders across party lines sign manifesto to support Bayanihan 2, gov't efforts vs. COVID-19

Leaders of political parties and party-list organizations at the House of Representatives have signed a manifesto reaffirming their commitment to approve the proposed Bayanihan to Recover As One Act and support to government efforts to fight COVID-19.

The manifesto came after the House on Wednesday approved on second reading House Bill 6953, their version of the second Bayanihan law, following the directive of President Rodrigo Duterte to Congress to work on the measure during his fifth State of the Nation Address.

"We, the leaders of political parties and party-list organizations in the House of Representatives, join the Filipino nation in solidarity as we continue our collective action to contain the spread of the COVID-19 disease in the country, with the hope to mitigate the pandemic’s impact on people’s lives," the House leaders said in the manifesto.

The House leaders said that while the Bayanihan to Heal As One Act, which Congress passed on March 23, had empowered the national and local government units to respond to the COVID-19 crisis, the global pandemic continues to impact public health and the country's economy.

"Heeding to the President’s call, we now declare our commitment to unify our respective political parties and party-list organizations in order for the House of Representatives to pass the Bayanihan 2 bill at the soonest possible time," they said.

Under the House-proposed second Bayanihan law, a P162-billion standby fund will be appropriated and be used to support operations and response measures to address the COVID-19 crisis.

The breakdown of the amount is as follows:

• P10 billion for PhilHealth COVID-19 Coverage
• P10.5 billion for hiring of additional Health Care Workers and arrangements for risk allowance, life insurance, compensation, and compensation for death and critical illness
• P3 billion for purchase of PPEs for frontliners and indigents
• P4 billion for construction of quarantine and isolation facilities
• P20 billion for the implementation of cash-for-work programs
• P51 billion for the infusion of new capital for government financial institutions, to expand credit
• P20 billion for low-interest credit for the agriculture sector
• P10 billion for programs for the transport sector

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• P10 billion for tourism development programs
• P100 million for training tourist guides
• P3 billion for smart, ICT-ready education facilities in state universities and colleges
• P600 million for subsidies for qualitied students in private tertiary education institutions
• P300 million for subsidies for personnel of private tertiary education institutions and part-time personnel of state universities and colleges
• P1 billion for additional scholarship funds for TESDA
• P12 billion for DSWD programs such as AICS, emergency subsidies for areas on hard lockdown, sustainable livelihood programs, and supplemental feeding
• P4 billion to assist DepEd prepare classrooms for digital education
• P1.5 billion for assistance for local government units
• P180 million to finance athletes whose allowances were reduced due to COVID-19
• P820 million for assistance for DFA programs for displaced migrant workers

Like the first Bayanihan law, this measure also provides for the grant of P5,000 to P8,000 subsidy to affected families in the informal sector living in enhanced community quarantine areas whose income does not exceed the applicable regional minimum wage rate.

It also provides appropriate cash for work for displaced workers due to COVID-19, or wage subsidy for employees of affected business in the formal sector amounting to P5,000 to P8,000.

"As we affix our signatures in this manifesto, we also reaffirm our support to President Duterte and commit ourselves to assist him in navigating our people out of the public health crisis engulfing the nation," the House leaders said.

"Under President Duterte’s leadership, and with the people’s overwhelming support to all his undertakings, we trust that we shall overcome this crisis and stand stronger as a nation," they added.

The signatories of the manifesto are Rep. Wilter "Sharky" Wee Palma of Lakas-CMD, Rep. Elipidio Barzaga Jr. of National Unity Party, Rep. Edgar Erice of Liberal Party, Rep. Aurelio "Dong" Gonzales Jr. of PDP-Laban, Rep. Weslie Gatchalian of Nationalist People's Coalition, Rep. Raneo Abu of Nacionalista Party, and Rep. Sharon Garin of Party List Coalition.

Also affixing their signatures are Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, Majority Leader Martin Romualdez, and Deputy Speakers Paolo Duterte and Luis Raymund Villafuerte. —KBK, GMA News