By Victoria “NIKE” De Dios
Cognizant of the rising unemployment in the country and the need to jumpstart the economy to support various businesses and entrepreneurs through economic stimulus from the government, San Jose Del Monte City Rep. Florida Robes today pushed for the passage of the proposed Bayanihan 3 measure saying it should be on top of Congress’ priority when sessions resume on Monday, May 17, 2021.
In a statement, Robes said so much more needs to be done in helping displaced workers and companies that shut down as a result of the pandemic especially with the continuous contraction of the economy which has resulted in the country’s recession.
“We have yet to recover. In the meantime, unemployment is up, the economy is down. We are in recession. The Bayanihan 3 or House Bill 8628 filed by our Speaker Lord Allan Velasco will provide much needed assistance to our fellow Filipinos still in need of help at this time,” Robes said.
This is the reason why, Robes pointed out, she filed House Resolution No. 1718 to express the full solidarity of the House of Representatives for the passage of said bill.
Congress will resume sessions starting Monday, May 16 until June 4, 2021 before it goes on sine die adjournment.
Velasco has filed House Bill 8628 or An Act Providing for Additional Mechanisms to Accelerate The Recovery and Bolster the Resiliency of the Philippine Economy, Providing Funds Therefor and For Other Purposes or Bayanihan 3 which is aimed at providing additional economic stimulus to help the country meet its recovery targets this year.
The bill proposes among others the allocation of P108 billion for additional social amelioration to affected households; P100 billion for capacity building of impacted sectors; P52 billion for wage subsidies; P70 billion for capacity building agricultural producers; P30 billion for internet allowances of students; P30 billion to assist displaced workers; P25 billion for Covid vaccine and treatment and P5 billion for the rehabilitation of areas affected by recent floods and typhoons.
Robes in her resolution said “there is a need to respond to the continuing challenges brought on by the pandemic especially since there are pervading difficulties in the procurement of vaccines for Covid-19 that prevent the country from carrying a full vaccination program for at least 75 percent of the population to achieve herd immunity.”
“The members of the House of Representatives should unite themselves once again to pass this important and much-needed piece of legislation to address the continuing challenges of the pandemic that threatens to derail the government’s recovery efforts,” she said.
