Negros Occidental Rep. Francisco Benitez, who chairs the Technical Working Group on the Bayanihan 3 bill, hailed its approval by the Committee on Appropriations, that provides a budget of P405.6 billion for Filipinos affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Our hard work as TWG chairman on the Bayanihan 3 stimulus bill is one step closer to fruition,” Benitez said, adding that its approval by the Appropriations committee is a crucial step in the passage of the comprehensive lifeline measure.
The bill aims to provide each Filipino P2,000 as “basic universal income”. It also includes P30 billion in emergency assistance to affected households, and wage subsidies amounting to P20 billion.
It also features P25 billion in assistance to displaced or disadvantaged workers, that would be implemented in three phases by the Department of Labor and Employment.
Other aid packages included P30 billion for the agri-fisheries sector, P10 billion for national nutrition efforts, P5.6 billion to support basic education, P9 billion in medical assistance to indigents program, P5 billion in relief to local government units, and P400 million to pay for swab tests of returning seafarers and overseas Filipino workers.
Another P54.6 billion is allotted for the pension and gratuity fund for retired military and uniformed personnel, it added. – GB
