There will still be a Social Amelioration Program (SAP) or financial aid to Bayanihan to Recover as One Act or Bayanihan 2, which costs P5,000 to P8,000, according to Senator Sonny Angara.
In an online interview with journalists on Thursday, Angara, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, said that SAP assistance would only be limited to those who will be involved in extended “hard lockdowns” and returning OFWs.
He also said that sectors that have been severely affected by the crisis and were not included in the SAP of the first Bayanihan law could also receive assistance.
“‘Yung mga creative sector, part-time teachers ng schools, so sila ang bibigyan ng priority diyan pero hindi across the board entitlement ito,” the senator clarified.
“The emphasis is on ‘yung mga hindi nakatanggap, ‘yung mga retrenched OFWs, returning OFWs. Medyo mas targeted siya ngayon,” he added.
The senator has not yet mentioned the total funds allocated to SAP, but there is also P13 billion allocated to Bayanihan 2 to help workers who have lost their jobs.
The proposal also includes the implementation of a 60-day moratorium period on the payment of all debts, with or without community quarantine implemented.
The 30-day grace period also includes the payment of rent for residential and utility bills during the ECQ or Modified ECQ.
Also read: 60-day grace period for loan payments included in Bayanihan 2
SAP cash aid included in Bayanihan 2 but limited
It also allocated P4.5 billion for the construction of additional COVID-19 isolation facilities, and dorms for frontliners. While P5 billion for contact tracing.
The Department of Health is also required to increase the bed capacity for COVID-19 patients by 20 to 30 percent, according to Angara.
It also allocated P3 billion for the purchase of personal protective equipment and a P10 billion standby fund for the purchase and testing of COVID-19 vaccines.
There is P9.5 billion in funding to support the transportation sector and P10 billion in tourism.
An additional P8.9 billion has been allocated for the education sector.
Once the Senate and the House of Representatives approved the proposal that is expected to be implemented this Thursday, it will become law when President Rodrigo Duterte signs it.
Bayanihan 2, which is considered an emergency bill, will last until December 19, 2020.
The proposal also requires the president’s office to submit a monthly report to Congress on how the funds were used.