The Bayanihan to Heal as One Act highly requires President Rodrigo Duterte to submit a weekly report every Monday to Congress as part of his responsibilities when the legislative granted special powers to him.
Based on Duterte’s initial report, the government will provide emergency assistance to affected sectors, perform fiscal and monetary actions for the economy, as well as to secure the facilities and resources for the health sector.
Meanwhile, Sen. Panfilo Lacson opposed Duterte’s report as it was not a concrete action plan to fight the pandemic COVID-19 and demanded that President must provide a more concise status of exercising his ‘special powers.’
Lacson said: “While the President’s initial report lists three priority programs, there does not appear to be an action plan for each of them. The Executive Department should provide Congress with a clearer picture of the COVID-19 situation and a progress update of implementation.”
Concurrently, the Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon firmly believes that President’s report is indeed incomplete. He wants to encourage President Rodrigo to provide a more comprehensive report and action plan that will help both the poor, health. and the economy aspect as the latter’s report seem to lack on this matter.
Drilon stated: “We regret to see from that [report] the government has not crafted any new interventions or programs that could help the poor and keep the economy afloat while we are on a lockdown. We have to see a comprehensive COVID financial package that will cover both the health and economic aspects. The Report does not show us what this looks like.”
Furthermore, Drilon wants the President to come up with an action plan and report that will include the immediate distribution of coronavirus test kits.
He continued: “Such lack of planning and coordinating threatens to defeat the purpose of the urgency of RA 11469 – that is to resolve and fight the virus by way of smooth and expeditious implementation.”
Several politicians also urged the President to act on the promises he has made on the TV and start to distribute the cash assistance, food distributions and coronavirus test kits immediately.
Cut the red tape.
This is a HEALTH EMERGENCY!
— JV Ejercito (@jvejercito) March 31, 2020
Many families have not felt the help promised on television. Nasa 100 milyon ang Pilipino. Hindi matatapos ang trabaho hangga't di nakakarating sa mga nangangailangan ang ipinangakong ayuda. pic.twitter.com/gLgt4Nr4ZP
— Senator Nancy Binay (@SenatorBinay) March 31, 2020
PRRD report under Bayanihan Law says DSWD has over 140B released to it for assistance to poor sectors. Pls give asap,fight hunger unrest
— Sonny Angara (@sonnyangara) March 31, 2020
5-8,000 pesos per poor family should have received their cash subsidy by now. That’s the Bayanihan law. The 3,600 pesos for the poor under unconditional cash transfer for 2019 and another in 2020 should also have been distributed by now. Calling on dswd and dbm. Please.
— Loren Legarda (@loren_legarda) March 31, 2020
Pdutz makinig ka kay Imee haha nilalaglag na kayo Lol.. #TanongNgTaongBayan pic.twitter.com/i5HU5XI8Uv
— K a h e l J a y (@KahelJay) March 29, 2020
