Pacquiao pushes P335-billion package for COVID-19 response

Senator Manny Pacquiao has filed a measure seeking a P335-billion stimulus package to further help the Philippine economy recover from the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In filing Senate Bill 2123 or proposed Expanded Stimulus Package Act of 2021, Pacquiao hopes to provide additional funding for the government's COVID-19 response efforts apart from what is already included under the Bayanihan to Recover As One Act and the COVID-19 Vaccination Program Act of 2021.

Pacquiao said, “Patuloy nating hinaharap ang matinding pagsubok na dinala ng COVID-19 pandemic sa mundo. Gumuguho kung hindi man bumubulusok ang ekonomiya ng mundo. Subali’t sa kabila ng kawalan ng katiyakan ay kinakailangan nating gumawa ng mga hakbang sa lalong madaling panahon" (We continuously face the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic. The world economy is already in shambles if not completely ruined. But despite the uncertainty, we should find ways to address this as soon as possible.)

Under Pacquiao's bill, the P335-billion expanded stimulus package is broken down as follows:

• P100 billion amelioration for low-income individuals, households and homeless;
• P100 billion for worker subsidies;
• P100 billion for capacity building for critically impacted sectors;

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• P30 billion for assistance to displaced workers;
• P3 billion for Internet allowance for Department of Education K-12 teachers and students; and
• P2 billion for the Commission on Higher Education CHED for the Internet allowances for tertiary level teachers and students.

Pacquiao believes his measure would fill the gaps in the current pandemic response laws to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic while maintaining accountability among concerned government agencies.

Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto earlier filed the Bayanihan to Rebuild as One bill or Bayanihan 3, which comes with a P485-billion appropriation for various government interventions amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Marikina City Representative Stella Quimbo also filed a similar measure at the House of Representatives. —LBG, GMA News