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Recto bats for a P400-B Bayanihan 3 law
By DONA MAGSINO,GMA NewsSenate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto on Tuesday said he has filed a third Bayanihan bill to help stimulate the country's economic recovery amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
"I filed a Bayanihan 3 [bill] of roughly around P400 billion," Recto said in an interview on ANC.
Most of the proposed appropriations under this third Bayanihan measure would augment the expenses needed for COVID-19 vaccines, according to the senator.
"Remember, you would be paying an advance for these vaccines. Di bale nang sumobra pa 'yung bayad natin and provide for 100% of the population without even mandating it, but it's available kung gusto nila puwede silang magpabakuna. That's how it should work. Hindi 'yung 60-70% lang, nagtitipid tayo," he added.
In November, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said around P73.2 billion would be needed
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Under the proposed 2021 budget, P72.5 billion has been earmarked for COVID-19 vaccines. Only P2.5 billion of which is under regular funds while the rest are lodged under unprogrammed funds.
At least two Bayanihan 3 bills have also been filed in the House of Representatives in the past weeks.
In March, Congress crafted the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act or Bayanihan 1, which paved the way for the realignment of available government funds and provision of around P200 billion emergency cash aid to 18 million poor households that took the brunt of COVID-19 lockdowns.
President Rodrigo Duterte signed the P165-billion Bayanihan to Recover as One Act or Bayanihan 2 in September, which aims to provide relief to various sectors bogged down by the pandemic.
Two measures seeking to extend the validity of the Bayanihan 2 and the 2020 budget until next year are set to be sponsored in the Senate plenary on Tuesday. —KBK, GMA News