Drilon wants anti-insurgency, intel funds realigned for Bayanihan 3

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon is suggesting to realign anti-insurgency and intelligence allocations under the 2021 national budget to fund the assistance programs under the proposed third part of the Bayanihan Law.

Drilon made the remark as he appealed to 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.

In a "Dobol B TV" interview on Sunday, Drilon said anti-insurgency and intelligence funds under the 2021 budget are not that much needed.

"Sa Bayanihan 3, ibig natin talakayin ito at ilipat natin ang pera mula doon sa allocated items na hindi kailangan -- anti-insurgency fund, intel fund -- ilipat muna natin sa ayuda para magkaroon ng tulong ang libo-libong mga manggagawa na nawalan ng income," he said.

(We hope to discuss Bayanihan 3 and realignment of funds for allocations that are not needed --- anti-insurgency fund, intel fund --- for assistance programs so that the thousands of workers who lost their jobs would receive help.)

The Senate leader said that although the President currently has the powers to make budgetary realignments even without the Bayanihan 3, there is not enough funds to do so.

He added that the proposed Bayanihan 3 will benefit not only affected individuals, but also impacted businesses.

"Tulungan natin ang mga negosyo lalo na yung mga maliliit dahilan sila ang nakakapagbigay ng hanapbuhay sa ating mga manggagawa" (Let's help businesses, especially the small ones, because they provide livelihood to workers), he said.

"Sa ngayon alam ko mahigit sa 400,000 mga small and medium enterprises na nagsara dahil dito, kailangan matulungan din yan. Kaya kailangan natin yung panibagong pondo sa Bayanihan 3," he added.

(Right now I think there are over 400,000 small and medium enterprises that closed down, we should help them. That's why we need new funds for Bayanihan 3.)

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.

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

In the House of the Representatives, the proposed Bayanihan 3 as well as other related measures are being studied in the Committee on Economic Affairs and Social Services, according to Speaker Lord Allan Velasco.

He said if President Rodrigo Duterte would certify the bill as urgent, they would comply. —LBG, GMA News