State of calamity in the Philippines extended until 2021

President Rodrigo Duterte has extended the state of calamity in the Philippines by another one year due to the COVID-19 crisis.

The state of calamity extension took effect on September 13 and would end on September 12, 2021, unless earlier lifted or extended as “circumstances may warrant,” according to Proclamation 1021 signed on Wednesday.

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The President signed the first declaration in March and was only effective for six months.

“The extension will, among others, effectively afford the National Government, as well as local government units, ample latitude to continue utilizing appropriate funds, including the Quick Response Fund, in their disaster preparedness and response efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19, monitor and control prices of necessities and prime commodities, and provide basic services to the affected populations,” read the proclamation.

The state of calamity extension would also allow the government to monitor and control the prices of essential goods and prime commodities.

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Also read: BSP orders banks to allow 60-day grace period on loan payments

State of calamity in the Philippines extended until 2021

Government law enforcement agencies, with support from the military, were also ordered to implement measures to ensure peace and order in affected areas, as may be necessary.

Last week, Duterte also signed into law recently the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act or Bayanihan 2. The law provides P165.5 billion fund for COVID-19 response and economic recovery.

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Under the Bayanihan 2, P13.5 billion would be given to health-related responses, including the continued employment and hiring of emergency human resources for health.

Healthcare workers who contract COVID-19 while in duty would also receive rightful compensation: P1 million for the bereaved family of the healthcare worker; P100,000 for severe or critical cases; and P15,000 for mild and moderate cases.

Bayanihan 2 fund also allotted P4.5 billion for the construction of temporary medical isolation and quarantine facilities, field hospitals, dormitories for frontliners, and enhancing the capacity of government hospitals nationwide.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development was given P6 billion for emergency subsidy for areas that will be under granular lockdowns wherein residents affected could receive P5,800.
Bayanihan 2 also gave the labor department P13 billion to aid those who lost their jobs during the pandemic.