President Rodrigo Duterte has certified as urgent the proposed ‘Bayanihan Act of 2020’, a copy of which was widely circulated on social media. AFP
THE Philippines is upping the ante in the fight against the fast-spreading coronavirus, calling Congress to a special session on Monday to declare a national emergency and grant President Rodrigo Duterte broad powers, like taking over private businesses, including utilities and hotels, realigning public funds and tapping government savings.
Duterte has certified as urgent the proposed “Bayanihan Act of 2020”, a copy of which was widely circulated on social media on Sunday afternoon, as the Department of Health recorded 73 new cases of coronavirus infections, bringing the total number to 380 with 25 deaths.
The takeover of hotels is meant to house health workers and serve as quarantine centres or medical relief and aid distribution locations.
Public transportation can be taken over to ferry health, emergency and front-line personnel.
Albay Representative Joey Salceda, chair of the House ways and means committee, said the measure would have a validity of “two months, or throughout the state of calamity, whichever comes later.”
Salceda expressed support for specific provisions in the draft bill, including those exempting the purchase of necessary medical supplies and other essential goods from the procurement law, as well as support for front-liners.
“Subsistence allowances will also be given to poor families affected by the enhanced quarantine through these powers,” he said.
Over 7.5 million low-income families in Luzon must be supported by the government as many have been forced out of their jobs due the lockdown, according to the Ibon Foundation. Lacson said however that the bill was more political than fiscal as it would provide extra “powers and muscle” to Duterte in responding to the economic strain caused by pandemic.
For one, Lacson said the bill did not provide specific provisions on handing out financial aid to about 16.5 million Filipino families adversely affected by the state-imposed travel restrictions.
Lagman noted that provisions in the bill calling for the “cancellation” and “reallocation” of appropriated funds could constitute “transfer of funds” prohibited under the Constitution.
PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
