The House Committee on Appropriations approved the Bayanihan 3 bill, a stimulus to cushion the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Friday morning, May 21, Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District) said.
“This brings the bill one step closer to fruition…It is a crucial step for the passage of this comprehensive lifeline measure,” said Benitez, who is chairman of the Bayanihan to Arise as One bill, also known as Bayanihan 3, technical working group.
The P405.6 billion Bayanihan 3 when approved into law will provide P2,000 in assistance to all Filipinos, aid to families via the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and wage subsidies for MSMEs, Benitez said.
It will also provide unemployment assistance via the Department of Labor and Employment, nutrition for children in barangays, support to hog industry, farmers and fisherfolk, medical assistance to indigent patients, laptops and internet allowance for teachers, and a moratorium on demolitions, he added.
Benitez said the bill will go back for second reading on the plenary floor next week.
About 282 members of the House have signed up as co-authors of the Bayanihan 3 measure, he said.
However, the numbers could change next week when deliberations on the floor happens, he added.*