Senate approves P140-B Bayanihan 2 bill

On Wednesday, June 3, the Senate approved the second reading of Senate Bill 1564, also known as Bayanihan to Recover as One Act, which details measures for fighting the pandemic.

The bill appropriates P140 billion for various interventions including testing and healthcare services, cash-for-work programs, unemployment assistance, financial institution support, agriculture sector aid, transportation industry assistance, tourism support, and education transition funds.

Unlike an extension of the original Bayanihan Act, SB 1564 removes emergency powers granted to the President under the first act and adds new interventions.

The bill includes provisions for ramping up COVID-19 testing, enhancing healthcare services, providing unemployment assistance to displaced workers in various sectors, and supporting state universities and colleges transitioning to flexible learning modalities.