Angara, Yap want extension of 2020 budget, Bayanihan 2

The appropriations under the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act and the 2020 General Appropriations Act should be extended until next year, two Congress leaders said on Wednesday.

House committee on appropriations chairperson Eric Yap said the Lower House looks at extending the Bayanihan 2 until March 2021.

"Kung hindi pa nau-utilize lahat, puwede naman extend longer 'yun," he said on the sidelines of the bicameral meeting for the proposed 2021 budget.

Senator Sonny Angara, chairperson of the Senate committee on finance, said its validity could be extended further until June next year.

"We're looking at March up to June. Whereas doon naman sa 2020 [budget], we're studying either June or December of next year but we have to look at the items that are being extended," he said.

Angara added the proposed extension of the 2020 GAA has precedence because Congress also did it in 2018 and 2019.

The Bayanihan 2 is set to expire on December 19 while the 2020 GAA is valid until December 31.

Two separate bills should be passed by Congress to extend these, according to Yap. Since these are appropriations-related, the measures should emanate first from the lower chamber.

Angara admitted that the schedule is quite tight for Congress to make this happen.

"It's a bit tight. So 'yung certification would make a big difference kasi we only have four session days left, including today. Without the certification, the extension doesn't look so good," he said.—AOL, GMA News