Rappler
DOCUMENT: Duterte’s 30 special powers to deal with the coronavirus outbreak
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.
Congress had passed the bill, which was certified as urgent by Duterte, to strengthen defenses against the health, economic, and social consequences of COVID-19.
The law declares a state of national emergency, supplementing existing declarations of a month-long Luzon-wide lockdown, a state of calamity, and a state of public health emergency.
Under the act, Duterte's special powers allow for actions such as reallocating government savings and directing the operation of privately-owned medical facilities and transportation for health workers.
Around 18 million low-income households in the informal sector are targeted to receive emergency subsidies for two months.
Malacañang assured the public that the special powers would not be abused and would be used in accordance with the Constitution.
As of Tuesday, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Philippines reached 501, with 33 deaths.
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Congress has granted President Duterte special emergency powers through the "Bayanihan to Heal as One Act of 2020" to address the COVID-19 pandemic.
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President Duterte is utilizing all available government resources to combat the spread of COVID-19 and ensure the safety of Filipinos.
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President Rodrigo Duterte may be granted emergency powers by Congress to take over privately-owned public utilities and businesses if they are deemed affected with public interest during the COVID-19 crisis.
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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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