DUE To the imposition of another strict lockdown, the House of Representatives will push for the immediate passage of the proposed Bayanihan 3 or the Arise as One Act.

One of the proponents, Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, underscored the need for the approval of the P216 billion funding for two rounds of cash aid worth P2,000 to be given to each of the 108 million Filipinos regardless of economic status.

From August 6 to 20, the National Capital Region (NCR) was placed under Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) in order to stop the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) , especially the Delta variant.

Salceda said it is the “official position” of Speaker Lord Allan Velasco and the House leadership to pursue Bayanihan 3.

“The House is committed to implement this landmark (measure),” Salceda, the chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means, said in a media forum Ugnayan sa Batasan

“The Philippines should be able to realize that in a crisis such as this, at least we have a policy instrument called Universal Basic Income, which is to give every Filipino citizen an aid from the government because everybody was hurt [by the pandemic] anyway,” he added.

The national government is also considering placing other provinces under ECQ due to the rising cases of COVOD-19.

“Kung ilalagay mo sa ECQ lahat, lahat bibigyan mo,” Salceda said, noting that those within CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon), should also be provided financial assistance.

Meanwhile, Salceda noted that the country’s fiscal recovery now hinges on the COVID-19 vaccines becoming widely available.

“We may not be able to recover in the fourth quarter if you do not have the vaccines. That’s the real issue,” he said.

On the other hand, Salceda assured the public that deliberation on the proposed 2022 national budget will not be delayed by the suspension of session and ECQ.

“We will still hold Committee Hearings despite the ECQ,” said Salceda, who is also a vice chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations.

He said the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has until August 26 to submit to the House the National Expenditure Program for 2022.