Senators welcome signing of Bayanihan 2

Some senators on Saturday welcomed the enactment into law of the Bayanihan to Recover As One Act or Bayanihan 2.

President Rodrigo Duterte signed on Friday the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act or Bayanihan 2, a measure which succeeded the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, which expired on June 24.

The Bayanihan 2, which will be in effect until Dec. 19 this year, provides a COVID-19 relief package worth P165.5 billion.

Senator Sonny Angara, sponsor of the Bayanihan 2 bill, said the new law "will ensure that the government's response to the health crisis that our country is going through will continue without interruption."

"This will provide much needed support to our health sector, which is at the frontline in this battle against COVID-19. It will assist sectors that have fallen on their knees due to the lack of economic activity," he said.

The Bayanihan 2 provides assistance to sectors most affected by the community quarantines, Angara said. These include the tourism industry and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) which will have access to low-interest loans.

"The law will bridge the gap between now and January 2021 when the new general appropriations act will be enacted," Angara said.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, meanwhile, said with the new law, consumers can have a 30-day moratorium in the payment of their most recent utility bills.

The 30-day grace period in the payment of utility bills — including interests, penalties and other charges — applies to the time under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) or modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ), he said.

“This provision in the bill will lessen the financial strain of the already overburdened Filipino families living in areas under ECQ or MECQ. For most of them, payment for utility bills eats up a big percentage of their monthly income and this is a relief to those having trouble making payments due to financial difficulties brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic,” the senator said.

Gatchalian said after the grace period, the unpaid bills of residential, MSMEs and cooperatives may be paid on a staggered basis in at least three monthly installments.

Iligan City, Bacolod City, and Lanao del Sur have been placed under MECQ until September 30 due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases in these areas.

Monitoring

Angara said Congress will closely monitor the law's implementation via its oversight committee.

President Rodrigo Duterte and his Cabinet will submit a report every month to Congress on how the P165.5-billion COVID-19 stimulus package was utilized, Malacañang said on Saturday.

The Commission on Audit will also receive the reports of the executive branch. —KG, GMA News