Republic of the Philippines
Bouse of Representatives
Batasan Bills, Queson City

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No, _7212

Introduced by: Representatives Florencio Gabriel “Bem” G. Noel and Josephine Veronique “Jaye”
Lacson-Noel

EXPLANATORY NOTE

2020 has been a turbulent year for our country. When the COVID-19 virus became known to
us, many companies and establishments were forced to close its doors. Numerous Filipinos were left
jobless, big companies registered an all-time-low, many family members lost their loved ones, and
the economic downfall of the country began. Business owners and establishments who welcomed
hundreds of customers everyday are now downsizing and are forced to prematurely terminate their
employees’ contract. The government exerted all efforts to reduce the impact of this Pandemic,
resorting to lockdowns in every corner and big loans were made to fund government programs to
enforce strict health measures for the safety of every citizen. Health workers and other frontliners
have worked tirelessly to fight the unseen enemy which have tremendously changed the course of our
country.

Since the beginning of this Pandemic, our countrymen have been clamoring endlessly for a
change of competent governance to help us get through this pandemic. Health workers and other
frontliners who are our first line of defense against the virus endlessly are now crying for help. The
Filipinos who, before this Pandemic, seemingly had a stable job and a decent income, are now asking
its government for help.

Furthermore, agriculture, which is one of the Nation’s backbone is now one of the sectors
severely affected by this Pandemic, resulting to worsened food insecurity. This sentiment holds true,
most specially to the natives of Region VIII, whose main source of living is farming. Their current
condition has been long aggravated by the devastation and havoc caused Typhoon Yolanda, leaving
them in a deplorable state, With the poor performance of the region’s economy, it is about time that
we bring our attention into devising a program which shall create a food-secured community which
shall in turn improve the well-being of its people.

It is time for the leaders of this country to take action. It is time for the leaders of this country
to tell its fellow citizens that they hear them, that they have not abandoned them, that they are ready
to fight this battle with them. For the only way to end this war is for us to fight this battle side by side,
helping one another get through this Pandemic. As leaders and legislators, it is high time that we, as
representatives of this country, begin the change that our people are seeking for. This Act shall be the


beginning of our reformation to end this pandemic- our answer.

Itis the purpose of this Bayanihan to Recover as One Act to enact measures that would resolve
the problems that our country currently faces. This includes measures to reduce the adverse impact
of COVID-19 on the socioeconomic well-being of Filipinos, sustain efforts to test, trace, isolate and
treat COVID-19 cases to mitigate the transmission of the disease and prevent further loss of lives,
enhance the capacity of the Philippine health care system to eliminate, prevent and control disease
outbreaks and pandemics and mitigate the effects of other health or life-threatening concerns by
ensuring budgetary support for healthcare, restore public trust and confidence on social and economic
institutions, accelerate the recovery and bolster the resilience of the Philippine economy through
measures grounded on economic inclusivity and collective growth. These measures shall focus on
facilitating the quick recovery of our country from the negative impacts it sustained from this
Pandemic.

As advocates of the agricultural sector for Region VIII, we would like to help the people we
represent by emphasizing the urgent need to help recover and sustain the agriculture in Eastern
Visayas. The Pandemic struck a hard blow to the agriculture of Region VIII, and itis in dire need of
aid from the government. As a representative, not just of the people, but the agricultural sector of
Region VIII, itis imperative that the state acts upon the needs of our farmers as well. For they are the
ones who are providing us with food to survive this Pandemic, and as such, must be given attention
to.

In view of the foregoing, and numerous Filipinos who lost their lives, their jobs and their
livelihood, the immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

Dear WV
yyy

Florencio Gabriel “Bem” G. Noel Josephine Veronique R. Lacson-Noel
An Waray Party-list Lone District, Malabon


Republic of the Philippines
Bouse of Representatives
Batasan Bills, Quezon City

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

7212
HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by: Representatives Florencio Gabriel “Bem” G. Noel and Josephine Veronique “Jaye”
Lacson-Noel

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR COVID-19 RESPONSE AND RECOVERY INTERVENTIONS AND
PROVIDING MECHANISMS TO ACCELERATE THE RECOVERY AND BOLSTER THE
RESILIENCY OF THE PHILIPPINE ECONOMY, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION. 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known and cited as “Bayanihan to
Recover As One Act”.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. ~ It is hereby declared the policy of the State to promote a
just and dynamic social order that will ensure the prosperity and independence of the nation and
free the people from poverty, particularly in the aftermath of natural and man-made disasters,
through policies that provide adequate social services, promote full employment, a rising standard of
living, and an improved quality of life for all. Towards this end, and in cognizance of the adverse
impact of the 2019 Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic to the Philippine economy and
society, the State shall likewise establish mechanisms to achieve the following objectives:

(a) Reduce the adverse impact of COVID-19 on the socioeconomic well-being of
Filipinos through the provision of assistance, subsidies and other forms of socioeconomic
relief;

(0) Sustain efforts to test, trace, isolate and treat COVID-19 cases to mitigate the
transmission of the disease and prevent further loss of lives;

(©) Enhance the capacity of the Philippine health care system to eliminate, prevent
and control disease outbreaks and pandemics and mitigate the effects of other health or life-
threatening concerns by ensuring budgetary support for healthcare;


(4) Mitigate the economic cost and losses stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic;
() _ Restore public trust and confidence on social and economic institutions;

(8) Accelerate the recovery and bolster the resilience of the Philippineeconomy through
‘measures grounded on economic inclusivity and collective growth;

(g) | Accommodate alternative modes of transportation, including a network of bicycle
lanes in all roads in every city and municipality, for the people who may opt to use the
bicycle as an alternative mode of transportation to address health, environment, and
traffic concerns;

(h) Promote and protect the collective interests of all Filipinos in these challenging times;

(i) Optimize the use of science, technology and innovation in government’s response
measures; and

() Enhance public trust in science and incorporate the use of scientific research and
technological expertise in policy-making process.

SEC. 3. COVID-19 Response and Recovery Interventions. — The following shall be
undertaken and implemented as COVID-19 response and recovery interventions:

(a) Following World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines and best practices,
adoption and implementation of measures to prevent or suppress further
transmission and spread of COVID-19 through effective education, detection,
protection, and treatment: Provided, That the percentage of the population that will
undergo COVID-19 testing shall be in accordance with WHO standards and global
benchmark, in areas identified by the Department of Health (DOH) and the
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) as epicenters of COVID-
19 infections, starting in the National Capital Region, Central Visayas,
CALABARZON, and Central Luzon and in other areas where higher possibility of
transmission of COVID- 19 may occur or have occurred. The DOH shall adopt a
COVID-19 disease surveillance protocol that shall define minimum health standards
for workplaces and business activities which shall include COVID-19testing and the
establishment of a contact tracing system including personal contact tracing whereby
a person maintains a record of the places that he/she had been to and the people
he/she had contact with: Provided, That any individual who tested positive for
COVID-19 through laboratory confirmation at the national reference laboratory, sub-
national reference laboratory, or a DOH certified laboratory testing facility shall be
automatically treated and if necessary, isolated in a DOH quarantine and isolation
facility: Provided, further, That the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of
Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) shall identify and prioritize the areasand
business activities critically impacted and severely affected by COVID-19 and
with high probability of COVID-19 transmission, and coordinate with the relevant
Local Government Units (LGUs) and government agencies for the implementation
of the COVID-19 surveillance protocol: Provided, finally, That The DILG, in
coordination with the LGUs and other government agencies, shall distribute the


(b)

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testing kits to DOH-accredited government hospitals that can perform testing;

Implementation of an expedited and streamlined accreditation of polymerase chain
reaction (PCR) testing kits and facilitation of prompt testing by public and
designated private institutions of suspected and probable COVID-19 cases and
those with no symptoms but with relevant travel history, or may have been exposed
due to the nature of their work or due to their living conditions or had contact with
a confirmed, suspected or probable case, and the compulsory and immediate
isolation and treatment of confirmed, suspected and probable COVID-19 patients:
Provided, That the cost of testing and treatment for COVID-19 patients shall be
covered under the National Health Insurance Program of the Philippine Health
Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth): Provided, further, That in addition to testing,
isolation and treatment of these patients, the contacts of these patients shall also be
immediately and properly traced through the use of efficient technology for data
collection and analysis, and by engaging contact tracers from the existing network of
barangay health workers, parent-leaders from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino
Program (4Ps), and members of duly accredited Civil Society Organizations (CSOs)
by the respective national government agency;

Adoption of a protocol on the conduct of PCR testing for COVID-19. For this
purpose, the IATF-EID, in full cooperation with the DOH, the DILG, the Department
of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI),
and the Bureau of Immigration (BI), shall ensure the following:

(1) Adequate number of COVID-19 testing centers that provide available,
affordable and accessible testing to the public, subject to reimbursement by
PhilHealth under existing guidelines: Provided, That people in geographically
isolated or highly populated and depressed areas shall be provided the same level
of access to COVID-19 testing;

(2) Hiring of skilled medical technologists, molecular biologists, and other skilled
laboratory technicians to conduct COVID-19 testing to achieve an ideal
personnel-to-laboratory ratio taking into consideration DOH targets. To address
the COVID-19 pandemic and in preparation for future public health emergencies,
biomedical research, training, and programs for skilled medical technologists,
molecular biologists and other skilled laboratory technicians shall be
implemented starting with the molecular laboratory infrastructure; and

(3) Procurement and distribution of supplies for COVID-19 PCR testing based
on, among others, the current levels and projections of the following:

() number of patients and healthcare workers with severe or critical
symptoms and history of travel or exposure; and

(ii) number of patients and healthcare workers with mild symptoms,
relevant history of travel or exposure, and considered vulnerable: Provided,
that LGUs may implement their own procurement, distribution and
monitoring program consistent with the overall provisions of this Act and
the guidelines of the DOH.

Delivery of uninterrupted immunization program against vaccine preventable diseases
especially on children amidst the COVID-19 pandemic;


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Adoption by the DOH of a uniform and consistent reporting standard in a language
understandable by the general public;

Provision of an emergency subsidy to affected low income households in areas
under Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) and to households with recently
returned Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs): Provided, That the subsidy shall be
computed based on the prevailing regional minimum wage rates: Provided, further,
That the subsidy received from the current conditional cash transfer program and
rice subsidy shall be taken into consideration in the computation of the emergency
subsidy as provided for in this Act. Provided, furthermore, That the vetting and
validation of beneficiaries of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP), and the
related liquidation report thereto shall be simplified to expedite the distribution of the
subsidy: Provided, finally, that a definite list of beneficiaries of the SAP shall be
submitted to Congress;

Provision of one (1) month emergency subsidy to low income households who are
qualified but were not granted such subsidy as mandated under Section 4c of the
Republic Act No. 11469;

Provision of unemployment or involuntary separation assistance for displaced
workers or employees, including probationary, project, seasonal, contractual and
casual employees in private health institutions, tourism, culture and arts, creative
industries, including but not limited to film and audiovisual workers, construction,
public transportation, trade industries, and other sectors of the economy as may
be identified by the DOLE, in coordination with the Bureau of Internal Revenue
(BIR), and Social Security System (SSS); freelancers, the self-employed and
repatriated OFWs, including OFWs whose deployment were suspended due to a
government-imposed deployment ban: Provided, That any assistance given to
OFWs shall be separate and distinct from the benefits or assistance, if any, they
receive as members of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA):
Provided, further, That any subsidy previously received under Republic Act No
11469 does not preclude the displaced worker or employee, the freelancers, self-
employed, and repatriated OFWs from receiving the unemployment or involuntary
separation assistance provided herein: Provided, further, That, members of the SSS
who have received the unemployment benefit under Section 14(b) (unemployment,
insurance, or involuntary separation benefits) of Republic Act No. 11199, or the
Social Security Act of 2018, during the Covid-19 pandemic shall no longer be
cligible to avail of the benefits under this subsection. Provided, finally, That the SSS
shall take proactive steps to ensure all qualified members be given unemployment
benefits under Republic Act No. 11199 (Social Security Act of 2018);

Access to livelihood assistance, skills and training programs, loan assistance, and
employment opportunities for repatriated and returning OFWs to ensure proper
reintegration and the fall utilization of their skills for national development;

Provision of a “COVID-19 special risk allowance” for all public health workers on a
monthly basis for every month that they are serving in the duration of the COVID-
19 pandemic, in addition to the hazard pay granted under the Magna Carta of Public
Health Workers or Republic Act No. 73055


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Implementation of mandatory COVID-19 testing of public and private health workers
every fifteen (15) days to ensure their protection;

Assumption of all medical expenses of public and private health workers in case of
exposure to COVID-19 or any work-related injury or disease during the duration of
the pandemic;

Provision of compensation of One Hundred Thousand Pesos (P100,000) to public and
private health workers who have contracted or who may contract severe COVID-19
infection while in the line of duty: Provided, That a compensation of One
Million Pesos (P1,000,000) shall be given to public and private health workers,
who have died or may die while fighting the COVID-19 pandemic: Provided,
further, That this shall have retroactive application from February 1, 2020: Provided,
“furthermore, That the compensation provided herein shall be exempt from the
applicable taxes under the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended:
Provided, finally, that the compensation provided herein shall be given to
the beneficiaries not later than three (3) months after the date of confinement or death.

Provision of opportunity to Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries to enhanced access to
credit facilities after the disruption of the food supply chain by the COVID-19
pandemic.

The pertinent provisions of Repubi. ct No. 10931 otherwise known as the
“Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act,” Republic Act No. 8545
otherwise known as the “Expanded Government Assistance to Students and Teachers
in Private Education Act” or the “E-GASTPE Act,” and Republic Act No. 10533
otherwise known as the “Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013” or the “K to 12
Law,” to the contrary notwithstanding, provision of tuition subsidy to students who
are currently not receiving any assistance from government educational subsidy or
voucher programs but are now facing financial difficulties brought about by work
stoppage and closure of establishments due to the CQ as follows:

(1) Qualified students in Private Tertiary Education who are neither part of the
Listahanan of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) nor
covered under the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) as provided in Republic Act
No. 10931 shall receive a tuition subsidy: Provided, that the geographic prioritization
of areas where there are no State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) and Local
Universities and Colleges (LUCs) under Republic Act No. 10931 shall be
suspended to make qualified students under this subsection eligible; and

(2) Qualified students in private elementary and junior high school, and senior high
school who are currently not receiving assistance under the Education Service
Contracting (ESC) as provided in Republic Act No. 8545, or Senior High School
Voucher Program (SHS VP) as provided in Republic Act No. 10533, as may be
applicable, shall receive a tuition subsidy.

Education subsidies granted under this subsection shall be released directly to


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the Private Tertiary Education Institutions or Private Basic Education Schools,
respectively, for the purpose of applying the subsidy for unpaid tuition in School Year
(SY) 2019-2020 or for payment of tuition fee for school year SY 2020-2021:
Provided, that the subsidy shall bereleased prior to the opening of SY 2020-2021
or within a reasonable period after school opening but in no case later than
September 2020, in a manner similar to the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES),
Educational Service Contracting (ESC), and Senior High School Voucher Program
(SHS VP).

Provision of a one-time cash assistance to affected teaching and non-teaching
personnel, including part-time faculty, in Private Basic Education Schools and
Tertiary Education Institutions and part-time faculty in SUCs due to the deferred
opening or reduced offering of classes during the CQ;

Ensure that all LGUs are acting within the letter and spirit of all the rules,
regulations and directives issued by the National Government pursuant to this Act;
and implementing standards of Community Quarantine (CQ) consistent with what
the National Government has laid down for the subject area, while allowing LGUs to
continue exercising their autonomy in matters undefined by the National
Government or are within the parameters it has set; and are fully cooperating
towards a unified, cohesive and orderly implementation of the national policy to
address COVID-19: Provided, That all LGUs shall be authorized to utilize more
than five percent (5%) of the amount allocated for their calamity fund subject to
additional funding and support from the National Government;

Enforcement of measures to protect the people from hoarding, profiteering, injurious
speculations, manipulation of prices, product deceptions, and cartels, monopolies
or other combinations in restraint of trade, or other pernicious practices affecting
the supply, distribution and movement of food, clothing, hygiene and sanitation
products, medicine and medical supplies, fuel, fertilizers, chemicals, building
materials, implements, machinery equipment and spare parts required in agriculture,
industry and other essential services, and other articles of prime necessity, whether
imported or locally produced or manufactured;

Ensure that donation, acceptance and distribution of health products intended to
address the COVID-19 pandemic are not unnecessarily delayed and that health
products for donation duly certified by the regulatory agency or their accredited third
party from countries with established regulation shall automatically be cleared:
Provided, That this shall not apply to health products which do not require a
certification or clearance from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA);

Procurement of the following as the need arises, in the most judicious,
economical and expeditious manner, as exemptions from the provisions on bidding
process required under Republic Act No. 9184 or the “Government Procurement
Reform Act” and other relevant laws: Provided, That the following information and
documents related to the procurement shall be published in the Government
Procurement Policy Board (GPPB) online portal, the website of the procuring entity
concerned, if available, and at any conspicuous place reserved for this purpose in the
premises of the procuring entity within seven (7) working days from the date of
acceptance of the award:


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Project name;

(ii) Approved budget for contract;
(iii) Contract period;
(iv) Name of winning supplier, distributor, manufacturer, contractor or

consultant;

(v) Amount of contract as awarded;

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) Notice of award;
i) Date of award and acceptance;
ii) Contract or purchase order;and

(ix) A certification stating that the procuring entity exerted all efforts to secure

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the most advantageous price to the government based on existing price data
of the agency, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) or other
relevant agencies or preliminary market scanning done by the agency
showing prevailing market prices and practice.

Goods, which may include personal protective equipment such as gloves,
gowns, masks, goggles, face shields; surgical equipment and supplies; laboratory
equipment and its reagents; medical equipment and devices; support and
maintenance for laboratory and medical equipment, surgical equipment and
supplies; medical supplies, tools, and consumables such as alcohol, sanitizers,
tissue, thermometers, hand soap, detergent, sodium hydrochloride, cleaning
materials, povidone iodine, common medicines (e.g., paracetamol tablet and
suspension, mefenamic acid, vitamins tablet and suspension, hyoscine tablet and
suspension, oral rehydration solution, and cetirizine tablet and suspension);
testing kits, and such other supplies or equipment as may be determined by the
DOH and other relevant government agencies: Provided, That the DOH shall
prioritize the allocation and distribution of the aforesaid goods, supplies and
other resources to the following:

(i) Public health facilities in the regions, provinces, or cities, that are
designated as COVID-19 referral hospitals, such as, but not limited to,
Philippine General Hospital (PGH), Lung Center of the Philippines (LCP),
and Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital;

(ii) Private hospitals which have existing capacities to provide support care
and treatment to COVID-19 patients; and

(iii) Public and private laboratories that have existing capacities to test
suspected COVID-19 patients,

Goods and services for social amelioration measures in favor of affected
communities;

Lease of real property or venue for use to house health workers or serve as
quarantine centers, medical relief and aid distribution locations, or temporary
medical facilities;


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(4) Establishment, construction, and operation of temporary medical facilities;

(5) Utilities, telecommunications, and other critical services in relation to
operation of quarantine centers, medical relief and aid distribution centers and
temporary medical facilities; and

(6) Ancillary services related to the foregoing.

Provided, That to ensure adequate and responsive supply of critical medical
products, the government shall promote and encourage the local manufacturer of
such products, and whenever locally available, procure from manufacturers and
suppliers in the Philippines. For this purpose, the DTI. shall issue a certification that
the products, materials, or supplies are produced, made or manufactured in the
Philippines: Provided, further, That other qualification and documentary
requirements for local manufacturers and suppliers shall be prioritized and expedited
by the DOH, FDA and other concerned departments and agencies.

Partner with the Philippine Red Cross, as the primary humanitarian agency that is
auxiliary to the government in giving aid to the people, subject to reimbursement,
in the distribution of goods and services incidental in the fight against COVID-19;

Engage temporary Human Resources for Health (HRH) such as medical and allied
medical staff to complement or supplement the current health workforce or to man
the temporary medical facilities to be established in accordance with Section 3 (1)(4)
of this Act: Provided, That HRH to be hired on temporary basis shall receive the
appropriate compensation and allowances: Provided, further, That all HRH serving
in the front line during the state of calamity due to COVID- 19, shall receive an
actual hazard duty pay from the government: Provided, finally, That DOH, the
DOLE and its attached agencies shall closely coordinate to ensure that returning
OFW-health care workers, or those whose deployments were suspended due to
COVID-19, shall be properly referred to the ongoing hiring of temporary HRH by
DOH;

Ensure the availability of credit to the productive sectors of the economy
especially in the countryside through measures such as, but not limited to,
lowering the effective lending rates of interest and reserve requirements of
lending institutions: Provided, That credit accommodation to the Micro, Small and
Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), as well as those who are self-employed, shall be
imposed a low interest, payable within three (3) years and shall not require any
collateral if the loan does not exceed Three Million Pesos (P3,000,000);

Development of a loan program of appropriate Government Financial Institutions
(GFls) for institutions of learning that have been affected by the decrease in
enrollment due to the CQ or to enable these institutions to adequately prepare to
implement blended learning: Provided, That the termsof the loan shall be more
reasonable than the prevailing market terms: Provided, further, That the availment
of such loan shall be conditioned on thenon- implementation of an increase in tuition
and other fees for the next school or academic year;

Direct the Small Business Corporation (SBC) to expand its existing loan programs
for MSMEs through a combination of increasing available loanable funds, reducing
documentary requirements, increasing maximum loan amounts per borrower,


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reducing interest rates, extending loan terms, utilization of financial technologies
to expand reach and increase access and set fast turn-around loan processing time;
and allow the use of the loan proceeds for payroll costs, materials and suppliers,
mortgage payments, rent, utilities, including fuel and storage, creation of new
supportive businesses, re-purposing of existing business capital, any other business
debt obligations that were incurred before the covered period or acquisition of new
technologies and systems to adjust business processes for resiliency;

Direct the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) and the Development Bank of the
Philippines (DBP) to introduce a low interest loan program available to non-essential
businesses to assist and encourage them to continue investing in their businesses:
Provided, That priority shall be given to agri-fishery businesses and non-essential
businesses that are small and medium enterprises, including start-ups;

Direct the Philippine Guarantee Corporation (PhilGuarantee) to issue an expanded
government guarantee program for non-essential businesses, to ease current rules
and regulations and give preference to critically impacted businesses, MSMEs,
and activities that support DOH initiatives towards ensuring an adequate and
responsive supply of health care services, and to guarantee the loan portfolio of
partner financial institutions of eligible MSME loans;

Liberalization of the grant of incentives for the manufacture or importation of critical
or needed equipment or supplies or essential goods for the carrying-out of the policy
declared herein, including healthcare equipment and supplies: Provided, That
importation and/or local sale of these equipment and supplies shall be exempt from
import duties, taxes and other fees; For this purpose, critical products, equipment
or supplies or essential goods shall include the following: (1) goods referred to in
Section 3 (t)(1) hereof; (2) equipment for waste management, including but not limited
to waste segregation, storage, collection, sorting, treatment and disposal services;
provided, that these said equipment and technologies and services are approved by
the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), DOH or other
concerned regulatory agencies; (3) inputs, raw materials and equipment necessary
for the manufacture or production of food and essential goods referred to in Section
3 (t)(1) hereof;

Ensure the availability of essential goods, in particular, food and medicine, by
adopting measures as may reasonably be necessary to facilitate and/or minimize
disruption to the supply chain and/or improve the national end-to-end supply chain,
including measures to reduce logistics costs and regulate and waive, as necessary,
extra shipping charges imposed by international shipping lines, especially for basic
commodities and services to the maximum extent possible;

Requiring businesses to prioritize and accept contracts, subject to fair and
reasonable terms, for materials and services necessary to promote the herein
declared national policy;

Provision of extension support, financial subsidies or other forms of assistance to
qualified agri-fishery enterprises, farmers, fisherfolk, and other agricultural workers
by the Department of Agriculture (DA);

Direct the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and such other agencies or
instrumentalities that may be authorized under this Act and its implementing rules
and regulations (IRR), to extend the following assistance to critically impacted
businesses in the transportation industry:

(1)Grant emergency credit lines for purposes of funding operations through


government financial institutions (GFIs);

(2)Grant concessional interest rate on loan or long-term credit facility through GFIs
to allow the restructuring of existing debts and assist in rehabilitation;

(3)Provide credit guarantee schemes to guarantee bank loans and credit lines;

(4)Provide grants for applicable regulatory fees;

(5)Allow substitution of refund option to travel vouchers;

(6) Provide grants for fuel subsidy and/or digital fare vouchers, as may be
necessary; and

(7Provide grants for training, equipment, facilities, test kits and necessary
personnel, on coping with increased health risks arising from infectious diseases.

Within fifteen (15) days from the effectivity of this act, the DOTr or any of its
instrumentalities shall prescribe the eligibility requirements and other terms and
conditions for any of the above-mentioned assistance, subject to the guidelines issued
under this section.

For purposes of item (a) (b) and (c) herein, the DOTr or any of its
instrumentalities shall utilize the loan and/or loan guarantee programs and other
loan related measures provided under this Act, subject to the rules, regulations and
guidelines issued under the corresponding intervention, including proper credit
assessment of the borrower by the LBP and DBP which will administer the credit
facilities or loan guarantees under this Act:

Provided, That a reasonable and proper business plan shall be submitted by he
borrower: Provided, further, That, loan interventions implemented under this section
shall be exclusively for critically impacted business in the transportation industry
only.

For purposes of item (4) herein, the grants may include reductions in (i) rates
through the removal of value-added tax (VAT) and local taxes as may be applicable,
and (ji) fees and charges imposed by any regulatory agency and LGU. Such grants
shall be payable, respectively, to the BIR, the relevant regulatory agencies and LGUs:
Provided, That, the grant shall be chargeable against the fund created for the
purpose of implementing this section: Provided, further, That any critically impacted
business may avail of the grant for a period of not more than six (6) months.

Availment of any economic relief such as wage subsidy, loan, and loan
‘guarantees and other relief under the other provisions of this act, does not disqualify
such critically impacted businesses belonging to the transportation industry from
availing the economic relief provided under this section.

‘The DOTr shall prioritize business entities that shall require assistance for any
activity that supports the Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa Program under
Executive Order (E.0.) No. 114 series of 2020;

(gg) Direct the Department of Tourism (DOT) to assist critically impacted businesses
that are tourism enterprises, including tourism oriented barangay micro business


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enterprises, or other members of the informal sector in the tourism economy in
any of the following programs:

(1) Low interest loans or issuance of loan guarantees through GFIs with terms of up
to five (5) years for maintenance and operating expenses;

(2) Credit facilities through GFls for upgrading,
rehabilitation, or modernization of current establishments or facilities to be
compliantwith new health and safety standards;

(3) Marketingand product development, promotions and __ programs,
including travel advertising and festival-support strategies;

(4) Grants for education, training, and advising of tourism stakeholder for the new
normal alternative livelihood programs;

(5) Utilization of information technology for the improvement of tourism services,
development of a tourist tracking system for emergency response, and
establishment of spatial database to improve planning capacity;

(6) In partnership with the LGU and DOH and/or private entities, establish COVID-
19 testing centers in tourist destinations as identified by the DOT, to stimulate
tourism and generate employment; and

(7) Any other relevant programs, including infrastructure, product-sourcing, and
subsidized domestic package tours necessary to mitigate the economic effects of
COVID-19 on the tourism industry.

For purposes of items (1) and (2) herein, government financial institutions
such as the LBP and DBP shall administer the loans for DOT but subject to guidelines
from the DOT that shall be prepared for these purposes: Provided, That the loan
interventions implemented under this Section shall be exclusively for accredited
tourism enterprises, including such small-scale tourism-oriented enterprises
accredited by LGUs, under Republic Act No. 9178 or the “Barangay Micro Business
Enterprises Act of 2002”.

Availment of grants, loans or loan guarantees through other provisions of this
Act is not a disqualification for any tourism enterprise to avail of any economic
relief measures in this Section,

The DOT shall prioritize establishments that (1) support the Balik
Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa Program under E.O. No. 114, series of 2020, and (2)
comply with the guidelines of the DOH towards ensuring an adequate and responsive
supply of health care services.

Undertaking measures in partnership with appropriate internet. and communication
service providers in the acceleration of the deployment of critical Information and
Communications Technology (ICT) infrastructure particularly additional cell towers,
equipment, software, and wireless technologies throughout the country to address
the need for digital connectivity, internet speed and stability, and Cybersecurity in E~
Commerce, E-Government, online learning, and telecommuting in order to
sufficiently meet the significant additional shift of the general public to online
services and platforms and to home and mobile communication units for doing work
from home, for completing commercial and other transactions, for convening
meetings and conducting conferences and seminars/webinars, and for obtaining


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educational instruction during the COVID-19 pandemic through the Department of
Information and Communications Technology (DICT);

Directing the DTI in coordination with other implementing agencies, to accelerate
and undertake massive promotion of online commerce and offer technical and
financial assistance through GFls to those engaged in E-Commerce, such as
those involved in internet retail, digital financial services, digital media, and ride-
hailing. These include programs that will expedite the digitalization of MSMEs
through training subsidies for onboarding or starter kits, wage support for new online
enterprises, upskilling/reskilling and other activities as may be defined by the DTT,
DICT, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and
Commission on Higher Education (CHED);

Regulation and limitation of the operation of all sectors of transportation through
land, sea or air, whether private or public and provide the necessary infrastructure and
support, including emergency pathways, LGU bicycle sharing scheme with proper
safety equipment and pop-up bike lanes, for commuters, particularly health workers
and other frontliners;

Regulation of traffic on all roads, streets, and bridges, and access thereto; prohibit
putting up of encroachments or obstacles; authorize the removal of encroachments
and illegal constructions in public places; and perform all other related acts;

‘Authorization of alternative working arrangements for employees and workers in
the Executive Branch, and whenever it becomes necessary, in other independent
branches of government and constitutional bodies, and the private sector;

Conservation and regulation of the distribution and use of power, fuel, energy and
water, and ensure adequate supply of the same;

Implementation of the proper management and segregation of waste, especially
of hazardous materials coming from health facilities, in the communities and
households in order to contain the COVID-19 virus and other diseases;

Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, to direct the discontinuance of
appropriated programs, projects or activities (P/A/P) of any agency of the Executive
Department, including GOCCs, in the FYs 2019 and 2020 General Appropriations Act
(GAA), whether released or unreleased, the allotment for which remain unobligated,
and utilize the savings generated therefrom to augment the allocation for any item
directly related to support operations and response measures, which are necessary or
beneficial in order to address the COVID-19 pandemic, consistent with the herein
declared national policy: Provided, however, That the following items in the budget
shall be prioritized for augmentation:

(1) Under the DOH ~ operational budgets of government hospitals, primarily those
identified for treatment of COVID-19; prevention and control of other
infectious diseases; emergency preparedness and response; and Quick Response


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Fund (QRF);
(2) Under the University of the Philippines — the operational budget of the PGH;
(3) The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund or calamity fund;

(4) Programs of the © DOLE,such as, but __ not _limited to, Tulong
Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD), COVID-
19 Adjustment Measures Program (CAMP) and the DOLE Abot- Kamay Ang
Pagtulong (AKAP) for OFWs: Provided, That in giving assistance under these
programs, priority shall be given to those workers who have not been granted
assistance under any of the programs of the government for workers;

(5) Under the DTI - Livelihood Seeding Program and Negosyo Serbisyo sa
Barangay;

(6) Under the DA — Rice Farmers Financial Assistance Program;

(7) Under the Department of Education (DepEd) ~ School-Based Feeding Program;

(8) Under various DSWD programs, such as but not limited to Assistance to
Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS), distribution of food and non-food items,
livelihood assistance grants, and supplemental feeding program for daycare
children;

(9) Under Allocations to Local Government Units;

(10) QRF lodged in the various relevant departments, such as, but not limited
to the DOH and DSWD.

Notwithstanding the provisions of this Act, the discontinuedprogram, activity
or project may be revived at any time after the COVID-19 pandemic has ceased, and
notwithstanding Section 67 of Republic Act No. 11465 or the “General
Appropriations Act of 2020”, may be revived and proposed for funding within the
next two (2) fiscal years;

‘Any unutilized or unreleased balance in a special fund, as of March 2020 declaring a
public health crisis of national concern, shall be considered to have their purpose
abandoned for the duration of the health crisis. All such unspent, unutilized or
unreleased money or funds sourced from collections or receipts, including future
collections and receipts, shall be utilized and are hereby appropriated for such
measures to address the COVID-19 situation and accomplish the declared national
policy herein;

Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, to reprogram, reallocate, and realign from
savings on other items of appropriations in the FY 2020 GAA in the Executive
Department, as may be necessary and beneficial to fund measures that address and
respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, including social amelioration for affected
communities and the recovery of areas, sectors and industries severely affected.
All amounts so reprogrammed, reallocated or realigned shall be deemed automatically
appropriated forsuch measures to address the COVID-19 situation within the period
specified under Section 10 hereof;

Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the President is hereby authorized to
allocate cash, funds, investments, including unutilized or unreleased subsidies and
transfers, held by any GOCC or any national government agency in order to address
the COVID-19 pandemic;


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Moving of statutory deadlines and timelines for the filing and submission of any
document, the payment of taxes, fees, and other charges required by law, and the grant
of any benefit, in order to ease the burden on individuals under CQ;

Directing all banks, quasi-banks, financing companies, lending companies, real
estate developers, insurance companies providing life insurance policies, pre-need
companies, entities providing in-house financing for goods and properties purchased,
and other financial institutions, public and private, including the GSIS, the SSS and
Pag-ibig Fund, to implement a minimum of a thirty (30)-day grace period for the
payment of all loans, including but not limited to salary, personal, housing,
commercial, and motor vehicle loans, amortizations and premium payments, as well
as credit card payments, falling due within the period of the ECQ or Modified
Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) in cities, provinces, or regions declared
by the proper authorities without incurring interest on interests, penalties, fees, or
other charges and thereby extending the maturity of the said loans to a period equal
to the period of CQ: Provided, That unpaid credit card bills shall be settled on
staggered basis without interest on interests, penalties and other charges until
December 31, 2020.

Provided, further, That businesses not allowed to operate during the CQ shall
likewise enjoy the benefits of the 30-day grace period.

Provided, finally, That the banks and other NBFls that agree to further
loan term extensions or restructuring pursuant to this section shall be entitled to
regulatory relief, as may be determined by the BSP, which may include, but is not
limited to, (i) Staggered booking of allowances for credit losses, (ii) Exemption
from loan-loss provisioning, (iii) Exemption from the limits on real estate loans,
when applicable, and (iv) Non-inclusion in the bank’s or NBFI’s reporting on non-
performing loans.

It is understood that this provision shall not apply to interbank loan and bank
borrowings

Direct all institutions providing electric, water, telecommunications, and other
similar utilities to implement a minimum of thirty (30)-day grace period for the
payment of utilities falling due within the period of ECQ or MECQ without
incurring interests, penalties, and other charges: Provided, That after the grace period,
unpaid residential and MSME utility bills may be settled on a staggered basis payable
in not less than three (3) monthly installments, subject to the procedural requirements
of the concerned regulatory agencies in the imposition of such installment plan
without interests, penalties, and other charges: Provided, further, That covered
institutions under this sub-section may offer less onerous payment terms, with the
consent of their clients subject to the approval of their respective regulators: Provided,
finally, that in the case of the electric power sector, the minimum thirty (30) day-
grace period and staggered payment without interests, penalties and other charges
shall apply to all payments due within the period of the ECQ OR MECQ in the
entire electric power value chain to include generation companies, the transmission
utility, and distribution utilities;

Provide for a minimum of thirty (30)-day grace period on residential rents and


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commercial rents of lessees not permitted to work, and MSMEs ordered to
temporarily cease operations, falling due within the period of the CQ, without
incurring interests, penalties, fees, and other charges: Provided, That all amounts
due within the period of CQ shall be amortized in equal monthly installments until
December 31, 2020 without any interests, penalties and other charges: Provided,
(farther, That no increase in rent shall be imposed during the same period: Provided,
‘furthermore, That the minimum thirty (30)-day grace period shall be reckoned from
the date ofthe lifting of the ECQ or MECQ;

Implementation of an expanded and enhanced Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program
(4Ps), responsive to the needs posed by the crisis, and provision of an assistance
program, whether in cash or non-cash, whichever is more practicable, where the
Secretary of DSWD, or the Secretary of DOLE, when relevant, shall transfer cash,
cash vouchers, or goods through the LGUs or directly to households who have no
incomes or savings to draw from, including households working in the informal
economy and thosewho are not currently recipients of the current 4Ps, of an amount
adequate to restore capacity to purchase basic food and other essential items after
the duration of the quarantine. To carry out this subsection, the Secretary of the
DSWD and the Secretary of the DOLE may approve the temporary emergency
standards of eligibility and level of benefits.

Lifting of the Thirty percent (30%) cap on the amount appropriated for the QRF, as
provided for in Republic Act No. 10121 or the “Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction
and Management Act of 2010”, during the existence of the COVID-19 pandemic;

Provision of assistance to the agriculture industry by creating the “Plant, Plant, Plant”
Program which shall be composed of the following: (1) Ahon Lahat, Pagkaing
Sapat (ALPAS) kontra sa COVID-19; (2) food markets—food logistics and other
interventions; (3) Urban agriculture program of the DA; and (4) Cash for work
program in agriculture;

Implementation of a program which would: (1) fast track the approval of all pending
and new applications for housing loans, permits and licenses by simplifying the
requirements and procedure; and (2) accommodate and prioritize critically
impacted home buyers who may want to shift from private bank financing to PAG-
IBIG home financing with simplified requirements through the Department of
Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) program and its key shelter
agencies;

Encouraging the BSP to allow private banks and financial institutions to: (1)
reallocate any unutilized loanable funds to housing loans; and (2) to grant subsidy to
the home loan borrowers at the rate equivalent to the gross receipt tax imposed
on banks and financial institutions on their interest income;

Issuance of a directive that all government agencies and LGUs shall act on all
pending and new applications for permit, license, certificate, clearance,
authorization and resolutions within a non-extendable period of five (5) working
days, in order to support business continuity and encourage resumption of all
economic activities. PROVIDED, That the applicant shall be allowed to undertake


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its compliance to any additional requirement that may be imposed by the
government agency or LGU, and such will not delay the approval of the application;

Production of a masterlist of all displaced and critically-impacted transport workers
under the road, rail, air and maritime sectors to effectively implement the distribution.
of wage subsidies and cash-for-work program, as provided for in Sections 3 and 4 of
this Act, through the DOTr:

Provided, however, That the DOTr is directed to coordinate the accelerated
distribution of remaining subsidy under the Social Amelioration Program of
Bayanihan I to driver beneficiaries so as not to coincide and confuse with the subsidy
provided in this Act:

Provided, further, That the DOTr is likewise tasked to work with financial
institutions in looking at the possible restructuring of existing loans without penalty
and the provision of credit lines and low interest loans to help critically-impacted
transport service providers:

Provided, furthermore, That the DOTr is also directed to coordinate with
transport service providers and LGUs to negotiate service contracting of public utility
vehicles as a form of temporary livelihood to workers displaced by restrictions
and reduced capacity of public transportation, and other forms of arrangement to
ensure that livelihood in the transport sector is preserved:

Provided, finally, That there shall be no phaseout, at the national and local
level, of any modality of public utility vehicle as the industry transitions to a new
normal.

(ddd) Provision of access to free, healthy meals to undernourished children as mandated by

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Republic Act No. 11037 regardless of modality of learning through the DepEd.

Providing regulatory relief to the critically-impacted creative sector by tasking the
DTI and the DILG to review the imposition of the amusement tax. The President of
the Philippines shall have the power to suspend, reduce or waive the imposition of
the fees and charges as recommended by the DTI and DILG for a period of six (6)
months.

Provision of loan assistance, subsidies, discounts or grants to schools, universities,
colleges, technical vocational institutions, teachers, faculties, and students for the
purchase of distance learning tools, such as computers, laptops, tablets and other
ICT devices and equipment necessary to conduct and access classes and learning
materials under alternative delivery modes of teaching and learning in the new normal
through the DepEd, the CHED and the TESDA, in partnership with GFls: Provided,
That the loan shall have terms that are more reasonable than those prevailing in the
market;

(ggg) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 272 of Republic ActNo. 7160 or the “Local


Government Code of 1991”, a portion of the Special Education Fund shall be used
for the purchase of materials and supplies under DepEd’s learning continuity plan,
provision of safe schools infrastructure, equipment and facilities such as handwashing
stations, soap, alcohol, sanitizers, and other disinfecting solutions, as well as medical
health supplies deemed appropriate by public health officials such as thermometers,
face masks, and face shields, subject to existing accounting and auditing rules.

(hhh) Extension of the term of standby loans entered into by LGUs;

(iii) Directing the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to expedite the
implementation of Infrastructure Programs and Projects to generate loca employment
and stimulate the local economy;

(ij) Allowing National and Local Government Agencies to directly purchase agricultural
and fishery products from farmers and fisherfolk as a form of direct assistance even
beyond the lapse of Republic Act No. 11469, or the “Bayanihan To Heal As One Act,”
in accordance with Republic Act No. 11321, or the “Sagip Saka Act; and

(kkk) Utilize the funding as provided in Section 4 of this Act.

SEC. 4. Funding. — In addition to the funds that will be raised under Section 3 (00), (pp),
(qq) and (1) of this Act, a One hundred forty” billion pesos (P140,000,000,000.00) standby
fund is hereby appropriated and shall be used to support operations and response measures to address
the COVID-19 pandemic and the following:

a. Ten billion pesos (P10,000,000,000.00) for the procurement of PCR Testing and
extraction kits, supplies, materials, and reagents to be used for the conduct of
COVID-19 testing and for the enhancement of capacities of the DOH in the provision
of healthcare services and the implementation of programs and projects to eliminate,
prevent and control diseases other than COVID-19;

b. Seventeen billion pesos (P17,000,000,000.00) for the implementation of cash- for-
work program and the TUPAD, such as, but not limited to, temporary hiring of data
encoders, and other personnel as may be necessary in the response to the COVID-19
pandemic and for emergency subsidy to worker in critically-impacted sectors and
industries;

¢. Seventeen billion pesos (P17,000,000,000.00) for the unemployment or involuntary
separation assistance for displaced workers or employees, such as those in private
health institutions, private basic and higher education institutions and part-time
faculty in State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), tourism, culture and arts, creative
industry including, but not limited to, film and audiovisual workers, construction,
public transportation and trade industries, and other sectors of the economy as may
be identified by the DOLE, in coordination with the BIR, and SSS; freelancers, the self-
employed and repatriated OFWs including OFWs whose deployment were suspended
due to a government-imposed deployment ban;


d. Forty Billion Pesos (P40,000,000,000) for the infusion of capital to GFIs to be
allocated as follows:

1. Five Billion Pesos (P5,000,000,000) for the credit guarantee program of the
Philippine Guarantee Corporation;

2. Twenty-Five Billion Pesos (P25,000,000,000) to support wholesale banking and
equity infusion of the Land Bank of the Philippines for low interest loans to be
extended to persons and entities engaged in industries affected by the COVID-19
pandemic, including but not limited to air, land and sea transportation, retail trade,
accommodation and tourism services and MSMEs; and

3. Ten Billion Pesos (P10,000,000,000) to support wholesale banking and equity
infusion of the Development Bank of the Philippines for low interest loans to be
extended to persons and entities engaged in industries affected by the COVID-19
pandemic, including, but not limited to air, land and sea transportation, retail trade,
accommodation and tourism services and MSMEs;

e. Twenty-Five billion pesos (P25,000,000,000) to provide direct cash subsidy, interest-
free loans under the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) and government
financial institutions, and other forms of assistance to qualified agri-fishery enterprises
and farmers and fisherfolk registered under the Registry System for Basic Sectors
in Agriculture (RSBSA) and to finance the Plant, Plant, Plant Program to ensure food
security and continuous productivity in the agricultural sector;

f. Fifteen billion pesos (P15,000,000,000) to finance the programs of the DOTr to assist
the critically impacted businesses in the transportation industry, including the
provision of interest rate subsidies, provision of temporary livelihood to displaced
workers in the industry through service contracting of public utility vehicles, as
provided in this Act, and for the development of accessible sidewalks and protected
bicycle lanes, procurement of bicycles and related safety equipment for bicycle
distribution, sharing and lendingprograms, and procurement of bicycle racks;

ion Pesos (P10,000,000,000) to finance the programs of the DOT to assist

cally impacted businesses in the tourism industry, including the provision of

interest rate subsidies;

h. Five Billion Pesos (P5,000,000,000) to assist SUCs in the development of smart
campuses through investments in ICT infrastructure, acquisition of learning
management systems and other appropriate equipment to fully implement the flexible
learning modality; and

i. One Billion Pesos (P1,000,000,000) as additional scholarship funds of TESDA under
its training for work scholarship program and special training for employment
program or (STEP) for the retooling, retraining, and upskilling of displaced workers
including returning OFWs, as well as provision of tool kits under the STEP. Provided
, That the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) shall submit reports on the
releases made pursuant to this Section as part of the weekly report as mandated in
Section 6 of this Act.

SEC. 5. Sources of Funding. — The enumerated subsidy and stimulus measures, as well
as all other measures to address the COVID-19 pandemic shall be funded from the following:

(a) 2020 General Appropriations Act (GAA): Provided, That funds for the herein authorized
programs and projects shall be sourced primarily from the unprogrammed funds and
savings realized from modified, realigned, or reprogrammed allocations for operational


expense of any government agency or instrumentality under the Executive Department,
including, but not limited to, travelling expenses, supplies and materials
expenses, professional services, general services, advertising expenses, printing and
publication expenses, and other maintenance and operating expenses in the 2020 GAA.

(b) Savings pooled pursuant to Republic Act No. 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal as One
‘Act and Section 3 paragraphs (00), (pp), (qq), and (rt) of this Act;

(©) Excess revenue collections in any one of the identified tax or non-tax revenue sources
from its corresponding revenue collection target, as provided in the FY 2020 Budget
of Expenditures and Sources of Financing (BESF);

(d) New revenue collections or those arising from new tax or non-tax sources which are
not part of nor included in the original sources included in the FY 2020 BESF;

(©) Proceeds from loans and other foreign borrowings;

() All amounts derived from the cash, funds, and investments held by any GOCC or
any national government agency;

(g) Amounts derived from the 5% franchise tax on all gaming receipts/earnings or the
agreed pre-determined minimum monthly revenues from gaming operations, whichever
is higher, earned by offshore gaming licensees, including gaming operators, gaming
agent, service providers and gaming support providers;

(h) Income tax, VAT, and other applicable taxes on income from non-gaming operations
earned by offshore gaming licensees, operators, agents, service providers and support
providers. After two years or upon a determination that the threat of COVID-19 has been
successfully contained or abated, whichever comes first, the revenues derived under
paragraphs (g) and (h) shall accrue to the General Fund of the Government. The BIR
shall implement closure orders against offshore gaming licensees, operators, agents,
service providers and support providers who fail to pay the taxes due, and such entities
shall cease to operate.

SEC. 6. Reports to Congress and Creation of an Oversight Committee. — The President,
during Monday of every week, shall submit a weckly report to Congress of all acts performed pursuant
to this Act during the immediately preceding week including a report on the targets and actual
accomplishments of government programs, strategies, plans, and efforts relative to the COVID-19
pandemic as well as relevant and more granulated health-related data, and such other information
which Congress may require. The terms and conditions of any loan entered into by the government
to finance the programs and projects to implement this law shall likewise be included in the Report.
The Report shall also contain a detailed BESF tables for COVID-19, similar to the BESF tables
submitted to Congress by the Development Budget Coordination Committee.

For this purpose, the Congress shall establish a Joint Congressional Oversight Committee
composed of four (4) members of cach house to be appointed by the Senate President and the
House Speaker, respectively. This Committee shall determine whether such acts, orders, rules and


regulations are within the restrictions provided herein.

SEC. 7. Construction or Interpretation. — Nothing herein shall be construed as an
impairment, restriction or modification of the provisions of the Constitution. In case the exercise of
the powers herein granted conflicts with other statutes, orders, rules or regulations, the provisions of
this Act shall prevail.

SEC. 8. Separability. — If any provision of this Act or the application of such provision
to any person or circumstance is declared invalid, the remainder of this Act or the application of
such provision to any other person or circumstance shall not be affected by such declaration.

SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. ~ Republic Act No. 11469 is hereby repealed upon the
adjournment of the First Regular Session of the Eighteenth Congress, in accordance with Article
VI, Section 23 (2) of the Constitution. Alll laws, acts, decrees, executive orders, issuances, and rules
and regulations or parts thereof which are contrary to and inconsistent with this act are hereby
repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SEC. 10. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect upon its publication in the Official Gazette
and one newspaper of general circulation and shall be in full force and effect until September 30, 2020,
unless otherwise provided for in this Act or extended by Congress.

Approved,