Senator Manny Pacquiao filed a bill seeking to provide a P335-billion stimulus package to aid the country’s COVID-19 pandemic response.
According to Senate Bill 2123 or the proposed Expanded Stimulus Package Act of 2021, the funds would give additional funding for the government’s COVID-19 response for programs and measures that were not covered by the Bayanihan to Recover As One Act and the COVID-19 Vaccination Program Act of 2021.
“Patuloy nating hinaharap ang matinding pagsubok na dinala ng COVID-19 pandemic sa mundo. Gumuguho kung hindi man bumubulusok ang ekonomiya ng mundo. Subali’t sa kabila ng kawalan ng katiyakan ay kinakailangan nating gumawa ng mga hakbang sa lalong madaling panahon,” Pacquiao said.
(We continuously face the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic. The world economy is already in shambles if not completely ruined. But despite the uncertainty, we should find ways to address this as soon as possible.)
Under the proposal, the P335-billion expanded stimulus package proceeds would be:
- P100 billion amelioration for low-income individuals, households and homeless;
- P100 billion for worker subsidies;
- P100 billion for capacity building for critically impacted sectors;
- P30 billion for assistance to displaced workers;
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Pacquiao files bill seeking P335-B stimulus package for COVID-19 response
- P3 billion for Internet allowance for Department of Education K-12 teachers and students; and
- P2 billion for the Commission on Higher Education CHED for the Internet allowances for tertiary level teachers and students.
In December 2020, Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said Tuesday he filed a Bayanihan 3 bill worth P400 billion to boost the country’s economic recovery amid the COVID-19 crisis.
“I filed a Bayanihan 3 [bill] of roughly around P400 billion,” Recto said in an interview on ANC.
Recto said most of the measures under his proposed Bayanihan 3 would augment the budget for COVID-19 vaccines.
“Remember, you would be paying an advance for these vaccines. Di bale nang sumobra pa ‘yung bayad natin and provide for 100% of the population without even mandating it, but it’s available kung gusto nila puwede silang magpabakuna. That’s how it should work. Hindi ‘yung 60-70% lang, nagtitipid tayo,” he added.