Velasco

House back to work Monday even if gov’t extends ECQ

August 19, 2021 Ryan Ponce Pacpaco 315 views

SPEAKER Lord Allan Velasco on Thursday said the House of Representatives will return to work this Monday even if the government extends the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Metro Manila.

Velasco said the House leadership will continue its present hybrid setup in holding plenary sessions.

Earlier, Velasco ordered the two-week suspension of plenary sessions from August 6 to 20 in consideration of the ECQ implementation due to rising coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases.

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) is scheduled to submit to the House of Representatives the P5.024-trillion national budget for 2022 this Monday.

In a related development, Velasco said the House of Representatives mourned the passing “of our esteemed former colleague in the House of Representatives, Deputy Speaker and Cebu Rep. Pablo P. Garcia.”

Velasco said “Garcia was a devoted public servant who dedicated two-thirds of his life to public service—an extraordinary feat worthy of emulation.”

He had served the people of Cebu from 1951 to 2013 in various capacities—councilor, board member, congressman, vice-governor and governor—with utmost dedication and commitment, Velasco recalled.

“Cebu and the entire nation lost an exceptional public servant admired for his diligence, intelligence and integrity.He will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him and working with him. We extend our deepest condolences and sympathies to his bereaved family, especially to his son and our colleague, Deputy Speaker and Cebu 3rd District Rep. Pablo John F. Garcia,” Velasco said.

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