THE proposed Bayanihan 3 or the We Arise as One Act got full backing from different committees in the House of Representatives.

Among those that approved the measure are the committees on social services; on economic affairs and on ways and means.

Principally authored by Speaker Lord Allan Velasco and Marikina Rep. Stella Luz Quimbo, the Bayanihan 3 proposed a P420-billion stimulus package to help those sectors adversely affected by the pandemic as well to help the economy to recover.

Quezon City Rep. Alfred Vargas, chairman of the committee on social services, said the approval of the measure is an assurance to the Filipinos of economic and social assistance during the pandemic.

“I am very optimistic, that we will be able to extend to our people the economic and social support that they urgently need during this period of uncertainty,” Vargas said.

“Kasabay ng pagbibigay ng panibagong sigla sa ating ekonomiya, binibigyan din natin ng pag-asa ang ating mga kababayan na makaahon mula sa hirap,” he added.

Vargas said he is confident that the approval of the measure will be a priority of the House once it reconvenes on May 16.

A Technical Working Group (TWG) had consolidated all related bills into the Bayanihan 3 bill, titled “An Act Providing for Additional Mechanisms to Bolster the Resiliency of the Philippine Economy and Providing Funds Therefore,” or the proposed “Bayanihan to Arise as One” Act.

Vargas cited several provisions in the consolidated bill which he said addresses the needs of affected sectors, particularly workers who have lost their jobs, and vulnerable sectors in need of government aid.

The consolidated bill provides several types of assistance, among them, direct emergency and social amelioration of P1,000 for all Filipinos for the first month, and another P1,000 within three months.

The bill also provides livelihood assistance through an additional P12 Billion for the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program, P8 billion in wage subsidies under the Small Business Wage Subsidy (SBWS) program of the Department of Finance (DOF), P10 Billion in assistance for displaced workers through the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)

The bill also suspends the collection of amortization payments for those living in government housing programs, and imposes a “no eviction or demolition policy” until the State of Public Health Emergency declared by the national government is lifted.

Vargas added that the bill offers an array of assistance to ensure food security and provide for the health needs of citizens. This includes the allocation of P3 Billion for the Medical Assistance for Indigents Program (MAIP) of the Department of Health (DOH), free swab tests for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), and allowing the use of private sector facilities for public health needs during the pandemic.

The bill also allocates P54.6 Billion for the Pension and Gratuity Fund of Military Uniformed Personnel, and P5.6 Billion for the information technology needs of the Department of Education (DepEd)