MANILA, Philippines — A House panel yesterday approved a measure extending the validity of the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act or the Bayanihan 2 law to ensure completion of government programs for COVID-19 pandemic response.
The committee on appropriations approved and consolidated five bills seeking the extension of the implementation of the law to ensure consistent and efficient delivery of assistance to the public.
The extension covers only the use of funds under the law and not the special powers granted to President Duterte, based on the substitute bill.
Proponents of the measure led by Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, Majority Leader Martin Romualdez and panel chair Eric Yap specifically proposed that the validity of Bayanihan 2 law be extended until June 30 next year.
“The availability of the appropriations under Republic Act 11494, otherwise known as the Bayanihan to Recover As One Act, is extended until June 30, 2021 provided that the availability of appropriations under RA 11465 or the GAA 2020 that were reprogrammed, reallocated or realigned from declared savings and utilized for programs and projects for COVID-19 interventions, including the automatic appropriations of new programs projects and activities pursuant to section 4 item of the Bayanihan 2 Act, are also extended for the same period,” read the bill.
Yap explained that the measure is necessary to ensure continuation of the government’s COVID-19 response programs.
Two other proponents, AAMBIS-OWA party-list Rep. Sharon Garin and Deputy Speaker Wes Gatchalian, said the extension of Bayanihan 2 would also “aid economic recovery” and “give local government units (LGUs) and government financial institutions (GFIs) additional time to complete disbursements intended for COVID-19 response and recovery interventions.”
They explained that extending Bayanihan 2, set to expire on Dec. 19 when Congress adjourns for the holidays, is necessary following “substantial delay” in the release of the funds intended to provide assistance to the people through the various programs, activities and projects based on the report presented by the executive department to Congress.
Earlier this week, the House approved another bill extending the validity of the 2020 national budget until next year to boost the economic stimulus efforts of the government.
The plenary voted to pass on second reading House Bill No. 6656, which calls for extending the availability of the 2020 appropriations to Dec. 31, 2021.
The measure aims to amend Republic Act No. 11465, or the General Appropriations Act of Fiscal Year 2020, to extend the availability of its funds to be able to finance infrastructure projects under the current fiscal year that have been subjected for procurement.