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P200-B virus response budget only for 16.5M families in need —Sotto
Senator Panfilo Lacson stated that the P200-billion budget allocated for the COVID-19 response is insufficient to support affected families and workers.
Lacson pointed out that the proposed budget would only provide aid to 16.5 million families and 30% of the minimum wage for affected workers for a period of two months.
Senate President Vicente Sotto III clarified that the 16.5 million families to be covered are those in actual need of government assistance.
Sotto mentioned that the P200-billion figure is a ballpark estimate, and the actual bill allowing fund realignment does not specify an amount.
He calculated that providing 30% of the minimum wage to 16.5 million families for two months would amount to approximately P234 billion, based on Department of Budget and Management projections.
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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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