Drilon: Only P140B ready for Bayanihan 2, rest is standby authority

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon on Thursday said the government can only fund a portion of the P162-billion budget under the proposed Bayanihan to Recover as One Act or Bayanihan 2.

"P162 billion pero ang mapopondohan pa lang o mapupunuan muna sang-ayon sa DOF (Department of Finance) ay P140 billion, 'yung P22 billion ay tinatwag nating standby authority—kapag mayroon nang bagong source of revenue ay puwede pong i-implement," Drilon said in a radio interview.

Both houses of Congress agreed to set the budget component of Bayanihan 2 at P162 billion—the amount pegged by the House.

The Senate initially allocated P140 billion for the measure, following the recommendation of the DOF.

Among the provisions that have already been approved by the bicam were P15,000 sickness benefit for health workers with mild and moderate COVID-19; and P10,000 special risk allowance for both public and private health workers treating COVID-19 patients.

They also approved the one-time cash assistance for teaching and non-teaching personnel in private schools as well as for part-time faculty members in state universities and colleges.

Funding for COVID-19 tests; cash assistance or "ayuda"; and loan condonation for agrarian reform beneficiaries also got the nod of the bicam.

Under this bill, the requirement for certain permits for the installation and operation of telecommunication towers in the next three years shall be temporarily suspended too.

Drilon said Bayanihan 2 will likely be ratified on Monday. — Dona Magsino/RSJ, GMA News