House lawmakers gave their strong bipartisan support for Speaker Lord Allan Velassco's Bayanihan 3 bill that proposes a P420-billion fund to stimulate the country's economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
At the latest count, 162 members of the supermajority, minority and independent blocs in the House of Representative have manifested their support for House Bill 8628 or the Proposed Bayanihan to Arise As One Act, which Velasco filed with Marikina City 2nd District Rep. Stella Luz Quimbo last week.
Deputy Speaker and Ilocos Sur 2nd District Rep. Kristine Singson-Meehan said HB 8628 deserves bipartisan supporrt in the House for being "well-thought-out" and "truly responsive to the needs of the people" amid the COVID-19 crisis.
"The sectors that will benefit from the interventions provided for in the bill are well-targeted, which provides an assurance that the proposed fund won't go to waste and it will surely help the economy recover from COVID-19," Singson-Meehan said.
DeputySpeaker and Bagong Henerasyon Party-list Rep.Bernadette Herrera said the latest version of the Bayanihan 3 "provides for comprehensive and integrated strategy to help the economy recover fasteer from the devastating impacts of the pandemic."
According to Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Salceda, lawmakers should not hesitate in approving these additional funds since these were not considered in the National Expenditure Program that Malacanang submitted last year to assist Congress in the review, deliberation and passage of the 2021 national budget.
"In the pursuit of an economic rebound, restoring public trust and confidence on social and economic institutions is essential," Salceda said. "Thus, it is important that the government take the lead in promoting business confidence and social welfare through increased, well-targeted spending." - House of Representatives of the Philippines
