Senate endorses bill extending Duterte's COVID-19 emergency powers

A measure aiming to extend President Duterte's emergency powers to combat COVID-19 has been endorsed for approval in the Senate.

The proposed "Bayanihan to Recover as One Act" seeks to extend Republic Act No. 11469, also known as the "Bayanihan To Heal As One Act," which was passed in March.

This new legislation will allow the President to realign government budgets to fund the COVID-19 response and prioritize augmenting funds for various essential departments and agencies.

Key beneficiaries of the augmented funds include the Department of Health, UP-Philippine General Hospital, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Agriculture, Department of Education, Department of Social Welfare and Development, local government units, and other departments' quick response funds.

The bill also proposes establishing a P236 billion standby fund for cash assistance to sectors heavily impacted by the pandemic.

Furthermore, it aims to intensify and streamline the government's mass testing program to make it faster, more affordable, and accessible.

The proposed law also seeks to provide an emergency subsidy for low-income households that did not receive any cash assistance during the previous lockdown periods.

Senators supporting the bill emphasized its importance in adapting to the mutating pandemic and cushioning the impact of the economic crisis.