Philippine News Agency
Congress special session for Covid-19 set March 23
Congress will hold a special session on Monday, March 23, to pass a bill allowing President Rodrigo Duterte to realign available national budget funds to address the COVID-19 situation.
Senate President Vicente Sotto III clarified that the bill does not seek emergency powers for the President.
The proposed funding is projected to be around P200 billion for two months, to be sourced from available funds of government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs).
This amount will be provided as food and cash assistance to 16.5 million affected families nationwide.
Leaders are discussing the necessary funds to directly help those hardest-hit by the enhanced community quarantine.
While not explicitly stated, leaders are preparing for the possibility of extended community quarantine measures.
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Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go favors a special session to approve a supplemental budget for the COVID-19 response, echoing the Senate minority bloc's call.
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Lawmakers will convene a special session on Monday, March 23, to discuss a bill that would grant President Duterte authority to realign funds for the COVID-19 response.
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Albay Representative Edcel Lagman believes a special congressional session is not needed to approve a supplemental budget for COVID-19 response, as existing funds can be utilized.
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President Rodrigo Duterte signed the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act of 2020 on Wednesday, March 25, granting him 30 special powers to address the novel coronavirus outbreak.
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Congress has passed a bill granting President Rodrigo Duterte 30 special powers to address the COVID-19 pandemic.
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