Villanueva: Bayanihan 3 talks OK, but effective implementation of previous COVID-19 laws just as vital

Senator Joel Villanueva on Wednesday stressed that effective implementation of previously passed laws on the COVID-19 pandemic is just as important as legislating the proposed third part of the Bayanihan Law.

Villanueva made the remark after Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon urged President Rodrigo Duterte to call for a special session of Congress to allow for the immediate passage of Bayanihan 3 that will provide assistance to individuals affected by stricter COVID-19 protocols.

“I will support a discussion on Bayanihan 3. But having said that, let me be clear on where I stand on the mess engulfing us: Legislation is not the main solution, executive action is,” said Villanueva, chair of the Senate labor committee.

“The main cures to COVID-19 and its deadly effect on lives and livelihood are not waiting to be legislated, but to be implemented. Case in point is the new COVID-19 Vaccination Law, a great law in need of good implementation,” he added.

Villanueva also lamented the slow disbursement of funds allocated under the Bayanihan to Recover As One (Bayanihan 2).

He pointed out that while the entire P165.6 billion authorized under the Bayanihan 2 has been released to agencies, the amount obligated by agencies stood only at P77.5 billion, according to the Department of Budget and Management's February report to the Senate.

Of the P77.5 billion obligated, only P38 billion have been disbursed, he added, prompting him to ask why there is underspending of this amount.

“What we need are not new Republic Acts, but for the people in government to get their act together," Villanueva said.

Villanueva, nevertheless, expressed readiness to support the passage of the proposed Bayanihan 3 Law if a special session is called to pass it.

"If there are gaps that would require congressional action and approval, then let us do it. Isang halimbawa nito ay ang pondo panglaban sa pandemya. Kung kailangan po ng legislative refill, gawin na po natin kaagad,” he said.

(One example is providing funds to fight against the pandemic. If there is a need for a legislative refill, let's act on it right away.)

“Sakali pong magpatawag ng special session, handa po tayong sumuporta dito alang-alang sa ating mga manggagawa na walang trabaho at sweldo, sa mga pamilyang walang makain, sa mga taong walang-wala,” he added.

(Should there be a call for a special session, we are ready to support it for the sake of workers who were left jobless, families who have nothing to eat, and people who have nothing at all.)

Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto in December filed the Bayanihan to Rebuild As One bill, his proposed third part of the Bayanihan Law, which comes with a P485-billion appropriation for various government interventions amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III earlier said he has no problem with conducting a special session if needed, "unless the DBM can find other sources available." —KBK, GMA News