Proposed extension of Bayanihan Act ‘ideal’ to sustain COVID efforts – Roque

The proposed extension of the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act (Republic Act No. 11469) for another three months will be “ideal” to sustain the government’s efforts in containing the coronavirus, Malacañang said on Wednesday.

According to presidential spokesman Harry Roque, extending the law that gives President Duterte emergency powers to address the pandemic until September is “necessary” especially since a vaccine for it has yet to be discovered.

Republic Act No. 11469 was signed by the President last March 24 and published on the Official Gazette the next day. The law remains in effect only for three months unless extended by Congress.

“It is not a preference but I think it definitely is necessary to give us at least 90 days. We’ll see from there if at the end of 90 days, there’s a need for emergency powers still, then it can be extended until December,” Roque said in an interview over ANC’s Headstart program.

“Of course, extraordinary power is something that is reserved for extraordinary circumstances. But the problem here with COVID-19 is, without the vaccine, we’ll never go back to normal and it’s still extraordinary,” he added.

Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez had earlier filed a measure that seeks to extend the validity of the Bayanihan law for three months. Rodriguez is seeking to give the President more time to implement the coronavirus response, saying the end to the pandemic is still nowhere in sight.

The Bayanihan law grants the President additional powers to boost the government’s capacity to address the coronavirus outbreak. The powers range from granting emergency subsidy for low income families, realigning funds in the national budget, directing the operation of private establishments, to requiring businesses to prioritize contracts for materials and services necessary for the crisis.

“The Bayanihan (law) contains a sunset clause , three months from the date of effectivity. So, if it is going to be extended, Malacañang would like to see the bill itself, the sunset clause, will be amended to provide for the extension of the emergency powers conferred upon the President,” Roque said.

When asked about extending the law until December as reportedly proposed by Socioeconomic planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua, Roque said: “I think the three-month period is ideal although what Secretary Karl Chua suggested is not too far away from the three month period because we are already in June. July, August, September — three months until September. You have another three months until December.”

“But the important thing is if Congress gives us three months, 90 days, they will still be in session when the emergency power ceases because they are still in session in September and they can give the extraordinary, the emergency powers anew if they wish to, and if Malacañang would request,” he added.