PRESSE
Republic of the Philippines [& . wm
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES //: 2 ¢ ¢ EIVED

City, M ~ Ca
Quezon City, Metro Manila LATEAUN 30. 2022

NINETEENTH CONGRESS

Introduced by Representative Michael L. Romero

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR ADDITIONAL MECHANISMS TO ACCELERATE
THE RECOVERY, BOLSTER THE RESILIENCY OF THE PHILIPPINE
ECONOMY, AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The COVID-19 Pandemic and the recent war between Ukraine and Russia has
left the Philippine Economy and our countrymen in dire straits. In the year 2020, the
Philippine GDP decreased by 9.5% which was its worst plunge since the Philippine
Statistics Authority started collecting data in 1946. Furthermore, it was also the first
time since 1998 or a year after the Asian financial crisis that the Philippine GDP has
contracted!.

While the Philippine economy grew, albeit from the historic decline in 2020, by
5.7% in 20212 and was poised to rebound to pre-pandemic levels, the war between
Ukraine and Russia has again threatened the recovery of the economy. Last May
2022, the inflation rate in the Philippines has increased to 5.4% which was its fastest
pace since November 2018. Furthermore, the year-to-date adjustments of domestic
oil prices as of 21 June 2022 stand at a net increase of Php 29.50/liter for gasoline,
Php 44.25/liter for diesel and Php 39.65/liter for kerosene®.

Lastly, on 27 June 2022 the Department of Health has reported that the
COVID-19 cases in the country from June 20 to 26 which was 4,634 new cases was

1 Philippines GDP shrinks 9.5% in 2020, worst since 1947 available at
https‘//asia.nikkei com/Economy/Philippines-GDP-shrinks-9.5-in-2020-worst-since-1947 (ast
accessed on 28 June 2022).
2 PSA Releases Annual Revisions of the National Accounts of the Philippines available at
Attps'/[psa.gov. ph/content/psa-releases annual-revisions-national-accounts philippines-O ast
accessed on 28 June 2022).
3 Oil Monitor as of 21 June 2022 available at https:/www.doe.gov.ph/oil monitor?withshield-=1 (last
accessed on 28 June 2022).


53% higher than the June 13 to 19 new cases case of 3,051‘. Considering our past
experiences in dealing with pandemic surges, it is vital that the government put
measures in place ahead of time and should have access to necessary funds in order
to stop the further transmission of the virus and see to it that our economy will not
again be affected by another surge.

going, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

LL. ROMERO Ph.D.
Representative
1-PACMAN Partylist

4 Philippines logs 4,634 new COVID-19 cases in past week: tally up by 53% available at
Attps://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/06/27/219128 philippines logs-4634-new-covid-19-cases~
past-week-tally-53 (last accessed on 28 June 2022),


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No.__331

Introduced by Representative Michael L. Romero

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR ADDITIONAL MECHANISMS TO ACCELERATE
THE RECOVERY, BOLSTER THE RESILIENCY OF THE PHILIPPINE
ECONOMY, AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR

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 “Bayan Bangon Muli
Law’.

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 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 on the Philippine economy and
society, the State shall introduce additional mechanisms to achieve the following
objectives:

a) Mitigate the economic and health cost and losses stemming from the COVID-
19 pandemic;

b) Restore public trust and confidence in social and economic institutions; and

c) Accelerate the recovery and bolster the resilience of the Philippine economy
and public health through measures grounded on inclusivity and
sustainability.

CHAPTER I: General Provisions

SEC. 3. Types of Interventions. - The interventions shall be classified as follows:


a. Kalinga: Kalinga interventions are fiscal government programs and projects
intended to alleviate the effects of COVID-19 by providing direct emergency
and social amelioration or assistance to deserving Filipinos.

b. Kabuhayan: Livelihood interventions are fiscal and non-fiscal relief, through
existing Government programs and projects, intended to ensure that Filipinos
would have sustainable sources of income and that businesses would be able
to sustain operations and income despite the impact of the COVID-19 crisis.

c. Kalusugan: Food security and health interventions are fiscal or non-fiscal
relief, through existing Government programs and projects, intended to
ensure that every Filipino would have access to sufficient and stable quantity
of affordable food and quality health services despite the impact of the COVID-
19 crisis.

‘The implementation of the aforesaid interventions shall be done in three (3)
phases.

CHAPTER II:
Kalinga

SEC. 4. Ayuda to all Filipinos. — To provide assistance to all Filipinos impacted by
the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Social Welfare and Development
(DSWD) shall implement an emergency and special COVID-19 assistance program
(hereinafter referred to as Ayuda), for each and every living Filipino as of the date of
promulgation of this Act through a cash subsidy program of One thousand pesos
(P 1,000.00) to be distributed within one (1) month after the promulgation of this Act
and another One thousand pesos (P1,000.00) to be distributed within three (3)
months thereafter.

For the implementation of Phase 1 of the program, the amount of One hundred
and eight billion pesos (P108,000,000,000.00) is appropriated. The said funds shall be
immediately released to the DSWD upon the effectivity of this Act. The amount of
One hundred and eight billion pesos (P108,000,000,000.00) stand-by fund is
appropriated to DWSD for the implementation of this Section for Phase 2.

By order of prioritization in funding, the appropriations authorized under this
Section shall take precedence over other appropriations made in this Act: Provided,
That in the event that the funding appropriated under this Section is not fully
utilized, the remaining balance shall be appropriated for the implementation of
Sections 7 and 9 of this Act.


SEC. 5. Qualified Filipinos for Ayuda. — Any living Filipino national, regardless of
age, shall be qualified to receive Ayuda as described under Section 4 of this Act:
Provided, that any Filipino, without need of any valid or justifiable reason, may
voluntarily opt not to receive the Ayuda herein described.

SEC. 6. Listing and Distribution. - The DSWD and the Department of the Interior
and Local Government (DILG), through the assistance of the local government units
(LGUs) shall prepare the listing of the recipients not later than one (1) month after
the effectivity of this Act. The Community-Based Monitoring System, the Philippine
Census of Population and Housing and all other pertinent information available at
the LGUs and in National Government Agencies may be used as references for the
generation of the list of recipients.

In addition to the provisions of Republic Act No. 9485, otherwise now known
as the Anti-Red Tape Act, digital payments or any other systems of payment with
minimal face-to-face transactions shall be encouraged in the distribution of the
Ayuda. The LGU shall create a Grievance and Appeals Committee to address
complaints or grievances coming from constituents. The Committee shall establish a
hotline to receive complaints and act expeditiously on all complaints.

The DSWD, in coordination with the DILG, shall issue the implementing rules
and regulations for the implementation of this Section.

SEC. 7. Ayuda for Quarantine-Affected Households. — To provide assistance to all
households impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the DSWD shall implement a social
amelioration program for food security through a one-time cash subsidy program of
Five thousand pesos (P5,000.00) to Ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00) for every
affected household in areas declared under Alert Level 5 or any other type of COVID-
19 quarantine that may be of the same or stricter level of restrictions, as defined at
the date of the promulgation of this Act. The number of household members, cost of
living and the level and duration of the quarantine shall be considered in determining
the amount of the Ayuda for affected households as described under this Section.

The DSWD shall utilize the General Appropriations Act 2021 budget for
Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) for the implementation of this
Section.

SEC. 8. Special Congressional Oversight on Ayuda. — There is hereby created a
Special Congressional Oversight Committee on Ayuda for the proper implementation,
monitoring and auditing of this Chapter, especially the listing and distribution as
described under Section 6 of this Act. The DSWD, DILG and LGUs shall submit
weekly reports to the Special Congressional Oversight Committee on Ayuda:
Provided, That the weekly reports shall include comprehensive progress or
accomplishment reports on the releases, balances, obligations, disbursements, and


any other information that will ensure a transparent, valid and efficient
implementation of the Ayuda funding.

The Committee shall be jointly chaired by the Speaker of the House of
Representatives and the Senate President, who shall each designate five (5) members
from their respective Houses as members.

CHAPTER III:
Kabuhayan

SEC. 9. Emergency Assistance to Households. — To provide emergency assistance to
households and individuals affected by crises during the pandemic, Twelve billion
pesos (P12,000,000,000.00) is appropriated for additional funds of DSWD at the date
of promulgation of this Act for its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS)
program to address crisis response and recovery and to procure food packs subject to
the existing rules and regulations of DSWD. Stand-by funds are likewise
appropriated for the AICS program amounting to Twelve billion pesos
(P12,000,000,000.00) for Phase 2 and Six billion pesos (P6,000,000,000.00) for Phase
3.

SEC. 10. Wage Subsidies. — To assist Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
(MSME5), the Small Business Wage Subsidy (SBWS) program of the Department of
Finance (DOF), Social Security System (SSS), and the Bureau of Internal Revenue
(BIR) shall be continued and expanded, especially to MSMEs that have been highly
impacted by the COVID19 crisis. Provided, That the amount of wage subsidy to a
qualified employee shall not be lower than Five thousand pesos (P5,000.00) but not
higher than Eight thousand pesos (P8,000.00), as may be determined by the
implementing agency.

The amount of Eight billion pesos (P8,000,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated
to the SBWS program for the implementation of this Section. Stand-by funds are
likewise appropriated for the SBWS program amounting to Eight billion pesos
(P8,000,000,000.00) for Phase 2 and Four billion pesos (P4,000,000,000.00) for Phase
3.

SEC. 11. Assistance to Displaced/Disadvantaged Workers. — To provide temporary
employment to displaced workers, including overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and
freelancers, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) shall expand the
Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Displaced/Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD),
COVID-19 Adjustment Measures Program (CAMP) and Abot Kamay ang Pagtulong
(AKAP) Program.


The amount of Ten billion pesos (P10,000,000,000.00) is appropriated to DOLE
for the implementation of this Section. Standby funds are likewise appropriated to
DOLE amounting to Ten billion pesos (P10,000,000,000.00) for Phase 2 and Five
billion pesos (P5,000,000,000.00) for Phase 3.

SEC. 12. Training Subsidy for Affected Seafarers and Land-based Workers. — To
ensure the attainment of required competence and proper job-related certification of
unemployed seafarers and land-based OFWS, the DOLE, TESDA, National Maritime
Polytechnic (NMP) and other relevant government agencies shall subsidize
competency training, including updating training, of OFWs. For this purpose, only
OFWs who have not been deployed within the last twelve (12) months from the
effectivity of this Act shall be qualified.

To facilitate the training of seafarers and land-based OFWs, the DOLE,
TESDA, NMP and other government agencies tasked to implement this program
shall be allowed to enter into contracts with privately owned training centers for the
implementation of the subsidized training program for OFWs.

SEC. 13. Entrepreneurship and Skills Training. — To develop the entrepreneurial
mindset of Filipino beneficiaries, the DTI, DA, BFAR, DSWD, TESDA, and other
relevant government agencies shall develop and provide free online entrepreneurship
and skills training, in partnership with the LGUs, to the beneficiaries under Chapter
IL and Chapter IT of this Act.

SEC. 14. Assistance to Drivers and Transport Workers. — The service contracting
being implemented by the DOTr, in coordination with the DILG, pursuant to Section
4 (ff) of Republic Act No. 11494, otherwise known as the Bayanihan to Arise as One
Act, shall include service contracting of public safety vehicles negotiated with
transport service providers, transport cooperatives and/or LGUs. The DOTr is
directed to continue coordinating the accelerated distribution of the remaining
interventions under Republic Act No. 11494 or this Act to driver-beneficiaries and
other transport workers, and to ensure the full utilization of the said subsidy prior to
the expiration of the term provided for the same. The DOTr shall also establish the
Project Management Office (PMO) and procure the necessary technology for the
implementation of the program, utilizing part of the appropriated amount. All laws,
decrees, orders, rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with this Section
are hereby repealed or amended accordingly: Provided, That unless otherwise
provided for in this Act, no additional appropriation is hereby mandated for this
Section, and the validity of the appropriations specified under Republic Act No.
11494, Section 4 (ff), shall be extended during the effectivity of this Act.

SEC. 15. COVID-19 Economic Recovery. - The COVID-19 economic recovery
interventions under Bayanihan to Recover as One Act or Republic Act No. 11494,
specifically Sec. 4 (m), (z), (mm), (tt), (a0, (ff), and (iii), are hereby adopted as part


of this Act: Provided, That all laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or parts
thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly:
Provided further, That unless otherwise provided for in this Act, no additional
appropriation is hereby mandated for the Sections specified herein above, and the
validity of the appropriations specified under Republic Act No. 11494 for the specified
Sections shall be extended during the effectivity of this Act.

SEC. 16. Procurement of Goods and Services. —- Notwithstanding any law to the
contrary, goods and services required to address contingencies arising from natural
or manmade calamities that shall accelerate the recovery and bolster the resiliency
of the economy, including the goods and services needed to improve the digital
infrastructure that supports all government functions, shall be procured in the most
judicious, economical, and expeditious manner, and shall be exempted from the
provisions on bidding processes 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 five (5) working days
from the date of acceptance of the award:

@ Project name;

(ii) Approved budget for contract;

(ii) Contract period:

(iv) Name of winning supplier, distributor, manufacturer, contractor, or
consultant;

(v) Amount of contract as awarded;

(vi) Notice of award:

(vii) Date of award and acceptance’

(viii) Contract or purchase order; and

(i) A certification stating that the procuring entity exerted all efforts to
secure the price most advantageous to the government based on existing
price data of the agency, the Department of Trade and Industry, or other
relevant agencies or preliminary market scanning done by the agency
documenting prevailing market prices and practices. Provided, however,
That notwithstanding any laws to the contrary, advance payment not
exceeding fifty percent (50%) of the contract amount, unless otherwise
directed by the President, shall also be allowed for the procurement of
goods under this Section.

CHAPTER IV:
Kalusugan


SEC. 17. National Nutrition. - The Department of Social Welfare and Development
(DSWD) and the Department of Education (DepEd), in close coordination with the
LGUs and other concerned agencies shall fully implement the Masustansyang
Pagkain para sa Batang Pilipino Act of 2017 (Republic Act No. 11037) for Filipino
children in day care centers, kindergartens and elementary schools.

The DOH, in coordination with the National Nutrition Council (NNC), the
Department of Agriculture (DA), the LGUs, and other National Government Agencies
shall fully implement the Ka/usugan at Nutrisyon ng Mag-Nanay Act or Republic Act
No. 11148 to ensure that nutrition and health interventions and services under the
said Act are delivered at the barangay level. Priority shall be given to services and
interventions that boost immunity against COVID-19, as determined by the
Department of Health (DOH).

Stand-by funds of Three billion pesos (P3,000,000,000.00) for Phase 2 shall be
appropriated for the implementation of Republic Act No. 11037. Stand-by funds of
Five billion pesos (P3,000,000,000.00) for Phase 2 shall be appropriated for the
implementation of Republic Act No. 11148.

SEC. 18. Assistance to the Agri-Fishery Sector. — The Department of Agriculture (DA)
and such other agencies or instrumentalities, shall continue the Enhanced Plant,
Plant, Plant Program and any other relevant programs, including, but not limited to,
subsidies, loans, grants, and necessary capacity building assistance to farmers,
livestock producers, and fisherfolk to improve the agri-fishery industry and ensure
food security.

The DA shall prioritize for funding programs and interventions that directly
and effectively address the most urgent food security concerns, such as price and
supply pressures on the domestic swine industry and supply-chain issues on
vegetables. The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) shall assist
the DA in identifying which interventions will provide the highest socioeconomic
returns towards food security and farmer income security and welfare.

Stand-by funds in the amount of Fifteen billion pesos (P15,000,000,000.00) for
Phase 2 and Fifteen billion pesos (P15,000,000,000.00) for Phase 3 shall be
appropriated for the implementation of this Section.

SEC. 19. Assistance to Cooperatives. - The amount of Two billion pesos
(P2,000,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated to the Cooperative Development
Authority (CDA) for financial grants and technical assistance to the cooperatives
registered under CDA that are adversely affected by the COVID-10 pandemic.


The Two billion pesos (P2,000,000,000.00) shall be appropriated as follows:
One billion pesos (P1,000,000,000.00) for Phase 2 and One billion pesos
(P1,000,000,000.00) for Phase 3.

SEC. 20. Medical Assistance to Indigents. - The Medical Assistance for Indigents
Program (MAIP) of the Department of Health (DOH) shall be augmented as
additional medical response for the targeted indigent beneficiaries.

The amount of Three billion pesos (P3,000,000,000.00) is appropriated to DOH
for the implementation of this Section. Stand-by funds are likewise appropriated to
DOH amounting to Three billion pesos (P3,000,000,000.00) for Phase 2 and Three
billion pesos (P3,000,000,000.00) for Phase 3 for the implementation of this Section.

SEC. 21. Provision of Free Swab Tests for Seafarers and Overseas Filipino Workers
(OFWs). — To help facilitate the safe return to their place of residence or their
immediate deployment for overseas employment, seafarers and OFWs shall be
entitled to free swabbing and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-
PCR) testing, which shall be provided upon arrival or before departure at all
international airports and seaports nationwide and in accredited testing centers.

The amount of Five hundred million pesos (P500,000,000.00) shall be
appropriated to the Department of Transportation for the implementation of this
Section in Phase 1.

SEC. 22. Special Risk Allowance for Medical Frontliners. - The COVID-19 special
risk allowance being provided by the national government pursuant to Section 4 (h)
of Republic Act No. 11494 shall continue and shall be available to all public and
private health workers working on a permanent or temporary basis, and catering to
or in contact with COVID-19 patients, either directly or indirectly, for every month
that they are serving, including the period they are unable to serve due to COVID-19
hospitalization, during the state of national emergency as declared by the President:
Provided, That the COVID-19 special risk allowance of public health workers shall
be in addition to the hazard pay granted under Republic Act No. 7305 or the “Magna
Carta of Public Health Workers” and the active hazard duty pay granted under this
Act: Provided, further, That the COVID-19 special risk allowance for both public and
private health workers shall be exempt from income tax.

SEC. 23. COVID-19 Health Response. - The COVID-19 response and recovery
interventions under Bayanihan to Recover as One Act or Republic Act No. 11494
under Sec. 4 (a), (b), (0), (@), (), G), @, @, WO, W, (S), (D, (w), Good and (yyy) are
hereby adopted as part of this Act: Provided, That all laws, decrees, orders, rules and
regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or
amended accordingly: Provided further, That unless otherwise provided for in this
Act, no additional appropriation is hereby mandated for the Sections specified herein


above, and the validity of the appropriations specified under Republic Act No. 11494
for the specified Sections shall be extended during the effectivity of this Act.

SEC. 24. Emergency Use of Private Sector Facilities for Public Health Purposes. —
In order to preserve and promote public health, the President may direct the
operation of any hotel, transient lodging, other privately owned structure, building
or vessel to serve as isolation or quarantine facilities, temporary medical facilities,
and medical relief and aid distribution locations. The DOH shall prescribe the
minimum standards necessary for the operation of such temporary facilities:
Provided, That in cases where the foregoing enterprises so desire to undertake
management of said temporary medical or isolation operations, it may do so in
partnership with duly licensed private medical service providers or hospitals, and
such operations including pricing shall be fully regulated by the Department of
Health: Provided further, that in identifying which enterprises or properties will be
temporarily used as isolation or quarantine facilities, temporary medical facilities,
and medical relief and aid distribution locations, hotels, and similar facilities which
have not been able to operate during the quarantine periods shall first be selected
and utilized: Provided further, that should there be further need to re-purpose other
private enterprises, properties or structures to address the public health
requirements, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging
Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID), together with the Department of Tourism, shall
identify and select the private enterprise, property or structure.

The owner or operator of the enterprise or property herein referred to shall be
given just compensation for the use of their facilities and properties and shall receive
such compensation on a regular per monthly basis from the start of operation of the
temporary facilities: Provided, That compensation will be jointly determined by
owners or operators of the enterprise or property and the Office of the President, with
the latter as Payor: Provided further, That reasonable compensation for reopening
costs necessary to restore the subject property to its original operational state,
including any additional damage or costs incurred by the owner or possessor of the
subject property solely on account of complying with the directive of the President
shall be given to the person entitled to the possession of such private properties or
businesses after proper accounting and assessment have been done: Provided finally,
That in determining the just and reasonable compensation to be paid to owners or
operators of hotels, transient lodgings, other privately owned structures, buildings or
vessels as provided herein, the Office of the President shall pay no less than the
posted industry standard rates of Bureau of Quarantine-accredited hotels and
transient lodgings for both stringent and mandatory quarantine facilities.

PhilHealth shall include the payments due for hospital care while in these
temporary facilities in the COVID-19 benefit packages available for all Filipinos who
are so confined in said facilities.


SEC. 25. Strengthening the Capacity of Suppliers of Essential COVID-19 Goods

and Services. - To ensure the supply of goods and services that are essential to control
COVID-19 transmission and to attain herd immunity, the DTI and the DOH shall
identify segments of the health sector that shall be prioritized for the availment of
support programs provided in this Section. The identification of priority segments
shall be based on the nature and extent of market failures in such segments that
result in gaps in the supply chain or a lack of investments, and which may have
implications on national health security.

A. Regulatory Relief: The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA), together with the
DILG, and in coordination with the DOH and the relevant regulatory agencies and
local government units, shall simplify and shorten new business registration
processes for all enterprises in the identified priority segments of the health sector.

B, Loans: The Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) and the Development Bank
of the Philippines (DBP) shall introduce an interest-free or low interest Loan Program
for covered enterprises in priority segments: Provided, That MSMs, including start
ups, are prioritized: Provided, further, That loan approval processes are streamlined
and expedited for covered enterprises.

‘The President of the Philippines shall have the power to (i) declare a
moratorium period for MSME loans provided hereunder; (ii) make emergency loans
available to MSMEs for additional capital outlay under this Section; and (iii) relax
regulations to ensure that MSMEs have facilitated access to the loan facility provided
herein.

C. Technical Assistance: The DTI and DOH shall provide technical assistance
or offer grants for the education, training, and advising of covered enterprises on the
following:

@ Innovation in business operations, including product research and
development, and digital transformation of management, production,
distribution, retail, and other business areas, to ensure resilience to future
disruptions including managing the risk cyber threats;

Gi) Upskilling and reskilling of workers to adapt to the new nature of work; and

(ii) Market assistance on the identification of new market trends, to allow

enterprises to pivot to high-value and high-necessity products, including any
activity that supports initiatives of the DOH that are geared towards ensuring
an adequate and responsive supply of health care goods and services.

D. Support for Research and Development (R&D): The Department of Science
and Technology and DTI shall provide R&D support for covered enterprises through
grants, subsidies, use of government laboratories and testing facilities,
commercialization of R&D investments, and other innovation initiatives to facilitate
the creation and market expansion of health care goods and services.


SEC. 26. Strategies for COVID-19 Herd Immunity.
(A) Notwithstanding any contrary provision of existing laws and rules and
regulations:

(1) All provinces, cities and municipalities are now authorized to directly procure
COVID-19 vaccines from legitimate suppliers duly accredited by the DOH:
Provided, That the LGs will still comply with the conditions imposed under
international agreements and the reportorial and monitoring requirements of
the DOH and FDA: Provided, further, That the conditions imposed under
Section 4 of Republic Act No. 11595, otherwise known as the COVID-19
Vaccination Program Act of 2021.

(2) Private entities are now authorized to directly procure COVID-19 vaccines
from legitimate suppliers duly accredited by the DOH: Provided, That such
private entities shall comply with the conditions imposed under international
agreements and the reportorial and monitoring requirements of the DOH and
FDA: Provided, further, That the conditions imposed under Section 5 of
Republic Act No. 11595, otherwise known as the COVID-19 Vaccination
Program Act of 2021: Provided, furthermore, That with the exception of those
procured by private entities and donated to the national government through
the DOH, all other vaccines, supplies or services procured by private entities
shall be for the sole and exclusive use of such private entities; and

(3) Duly licensed dentist, medical technologist and other personnel who are duly
trained and licensed by the DOH may administer COVID-19 vaccines that are
registered with the FDA.

(B) Standards for Vaccination Rollout. - All LGUs shall adopt minimum standards
for the roll out of the COVID-19 vaccination program as determined by the DOH,
including, but not limited to, the minimum number of vaccination sites, vaccinators,
and other vaccination personnel per locality, based on local population. The DOH
shall determine the prioritization standards for the allocation of COVID-19 vaccine
doses per locality, based on the number of COVID-19 cases.

(C) LGUs are further encouraged to adopt strategies and implement measures that
provide timely, accessible, and adequate information on COVID-19 vaccines and the
vaccination program and that reduce the inconvenience of inoculation for the public,
and other such measures which aim to reduce vaccine hesitancy and promote
vaccination among their constituencies. LGUs may also offer incentives to
constituents for completing their COVID-19 vaccinations. Private entities may
likewise provide incentives for employees who complete their COVID-19 vaccinations.

‘The IATF-EID shall set specific performance targets for LGU vaccination to
help ensure an efficient vaccine rollout nationwide and achieve herd immunity. The


DOH is hereby authorized to give performance-based grants to LGs who meet such
targets within the determined timeframe.

CHAPTER V:
Support to LGUs

SEC. 27. LGU Funds. — The LGUs may increase their respective personnel services
cap by up to ten percent (10%) for first (1st) to third (3rd) class municipalities and up
to five percent (5%) for the fourth (4th) to sixth (6th) class municipalities, and cities,
and provinces: Provided, That the same shall be used for the hiring of additional
health workers, the generation of temporary jobs for marginalized and hard-hit
sectors as well as for other emergency employment programs undertaken by the LGU
in response to the COVID-19 pandemic: Provided further, That the allowable debt
service ceiling of LGUs shall be increased to thirty percent (30%) of their annual
regular income including their share in the national taxes: Provided finally, That the
LGUs shall be exempt from the loan ceiling cap imposed by the Department of
Finance (DOF).

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Bureau of the
Treasury (BTr) shall automatically and completely release any adjusted or remaining
shares of LGUs in national wealth and National Tax Allotment (NTA) pursuant to
Section 286 of Republic Act No. 7160 or the "Local Government Code of 1991".

For Phase 2, the amount of Three billion pesos (P3,000,000,000.00) to be
appropriated to the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) to provide financial
assistance to LGUs in their local anti-COVID efforts.

SEC. 28. Expanded use of Special Education Fund. — Notwithstanding the provisions
of Section 272 of Republic Act No. 7160 or the “Local Government Code of 1991”, a
portion of the SEF may be used to support the educational arrangements and
adjustments necessary to support the safe continuation of learning during the
pandemic.

Authorized expenditures shall include support of alternative learning
modalities, digital education, digital infrastructure and continuity plans, such as the
purchase of equipment, materials, and supplies related thereto, printing and delivery
of self-learning modules, provision of safe schools infrastructure, equipment and
facilities such as hand-washing 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.

SEC. 29. Stand-by Loans. — Extension of the term of standby loans entered into by
LGUs shall be allowed.


SEC. 30. Funds Held in Trust. - Unexpended cash balances of public funds held in
trust by LGUs, the purposes of which have been deemed to be completed or
abandoned, shall be utilized; and their transfer to the general fund of the LGUs
concerned shall be made available for appropriation to support local government
programs and projects in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

SEC. 31. Municipal Development Fund. - Any unutilized or unreleased balance in
the Municipal Development Fund created under Presidential Decree No. 1914,
including investments and undrawn portions of all loans, shall be considered to have
their purpose abandoned. All such unspent, unutilized, unreleased, or undrawn
money or funds shall be utilized and are hereby automatically appropriated for LGU
loans and borrowings from the GFls, including the provision of loan interest rate
subsidy until 2022, and other measures to address the COVID-19 situation and to
accomplish the declared national policy herein: Provided, That all investments, loans,
credits, grants, or other credit accommodations existing at the time of effectivity of
this Act shall be assigned to the GFIs, which shall henceforth have all the rights and
obligations of the fund under the contracts: Provided, further, That the assigned
funds shall be accessed and utilized exclusively by the LGUs: Provided, furthermore,
That all approved loans and undisbursed balances for committed LGU loans and
borrowings shall continue to be disbursed and shall be administered by the GFIs:
Provided, finally, That any remaining proceeds of the Municipal Development Fund
Office (MDFO) investments in government securities are hereby automatically
appropriated for such measures that shall allow LGUs to respond appropriately to
the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and to accomplish the national policy declared
under this Act.

CHAPTER VI:
Other Assistance

SEC. 32. Support to Retired Military and Uniformed Personnel. — The sum of Fifty-
four billion six hundred million pesos (P54,600,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated for
the payment of pension arrears of the retired Military Uniformed Personnel of the
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to help bridge their financial needs and to cope
with the challenges brought about by the pandemic.

To implement this Section, Twenty billion pesos (P20,000,000,000.00) shall be
released in Phase 1, Twenty billion pesos (P20,000,000,000.00) shall be released in
Phase 2, and Fourteen billion six hundred million pesos (P14,600,000,000.00) shall
be released in Phase 3.

SEC. 33. Support to Basic Education. - The amount of Four billion six hundred
million pesos (P4,000,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated in Phase 1 to assist the


DepEd in the implementation of its Digital Education, Information Technology (IT)
and Digital Infrastructure and Alternative Learning Modalities Program as part of
pandemic response and transition to a new normal. This amount is appropriated as
follows:

(a) Three billion pesos (P3,000,000,000.00) to provide laptops for teachers;

(b) One billion pesos (P1,000,000,000.00) to provide mobile and internet
allowance to DepEd personnel

SEC. 35. Loan Assistance and Relief, -

(A) To address the financing concerns of affected businesses and individuals during
the pandemic, regulatory agencies and all institutions under Sec. 4 (uu) of Republic
Act No. 11494 are encouraged to enter into restructuring arrangements of their
outstanding loans. Such institutions are likewise encouraged to suspend (i) the
imposition of penalties and interests, (ii) any foreclosure remedies, (iii) any
declaration in default or termination of any agreement, in relation to the payment of
existing, current and outstanding loans taking into account the mandated community
quarantine periods imposed by the government.

(B) The banks and other NBF's that agree to loan term extension or restructuring
pursuant to this Section shall be entitled to regulatory reliefs, which may include, but
not limited to, (i) non-inclusion in the bank's or NBF'I's reporting on non-performing
loans, (ii) exemption from loan-loss provisioning, (iii) exemption, when applicable,
from the limits on real estate loans, and (iv) exemption from related party transaction
restrictions, as may be determined by the BSP.

(C) The BSP and the SEC are hereby encouraged to adopt measures such as
relaxation of regulatory and statutory restrictions and requirements for a period of
not more than ten (10) years from their date of effectivity with the end-in-view of
encouraging the banking industry and other financial institutions to extend loans
and other forms of financial accommodation to help business recover from the
economic effects of COVID-19 crisis and to enable the banking industry to manage
appropriately its risks and potential losses.

The BSP and the SEC are likewise hereby authorized to grant reporting relief to its
supervised entities by allowing staggered booking of allowance for credit losses for all
types of credit accommodations extended to individuals and business entities affected
by COVID-19.

(D) The LBP, DBP, Small Business Corporation and the Philippine Guarantee
Corporation (PGC) are all directed to enhance, expand and expedite the loan and
guarantee programs initiated under R.A. No. 11494 with authority to utilize any
remaining available funds for financing under the said Act. These financial
institutions shall continue to provide zero-interest loans for working capital and


operating expenses of businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, in order to
assist and encourage them and their creditors to continue investing in, lending to and
operating their businesses: Provided that the LBP, DBP, SBC and PGC shall issue
interim guidelines for such loan products to be offered under this provision with the
objective of expediting the grant of these loans to target borrowers.

SEC. 36. Immediate Availability of the Free Public Internet Fund, the National
Broadband Program Fund, and other Related Project, Activity and Programs. - The
Free Public Internet Access Program (FPIAP) shall continue to be supported by the
Free Public Internet Access Fund (FPIAF) under RA No. 10929 as funded out of the
Spectrum Users Fees (SUF) and other funding sources. For purposes of accelerating
the establishment of the critical ICT infrastructures for the National Broadband
Program (NBP), the National Broadband Program Fund (NBPF) is hereby created to
be funded out of the SUF and other available funding sources as may be identified by
the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). The SUF and the NBPF shall
continue to be managed and administered by the DICT as the implementing agency
for the FPIAP and the NBP.

‘The entire SUF funds and/or related special purpose funds are hereby made
immediately available for utilization by the DICT for purposes of intensifying and
accelerating its technical support for the COVID-19 recovery and resiliency
measures, which shall include but not be limited to, the following:

i. Build-up and roll out of the national broadband under the NBP;

ii. Propagation of FPLAP sites across the country;

iii. | Providing connectivity for systems, platforms, applications, and other ICT
resources needed for the rollout of the government's COVID-19 vaccination
program in the vaccination centers:

iv. Providing support, through the build-up of the ICT network, among others, for
distance/digital learning, e-commerce, e-governance, telemedicine, and other
critical government services/online transactions in order to address or
alleviate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic upon government service and
the public;

v. Procurement, acquisition, installation, commissioning, or deployment of ICT
infrastructure, equipment, devices, systems, software, goods or services that
are ancillary, necessary, or incidental to foregoing measures.

The DICT is hereby authorized to classify the said funds as Capital Outlay (CO)
or Maintenance and Other Operating Expense (MOOE), which classification shall be
furnished to and duly reflected by the DBM in its records. The DBM and the Bureau
of Treasury (BTr) shall automatically and completely release such funds as the DICT
may determine as necessary to achieve the foregoing purposes.


CHAPTER VII: Economic Resilience

SEC. 29. Long-term Plan for Economic Resilience. - The National Economic and
Development Authority (NEDA) shall submit to Congress a long-term plan for
building economic resilience, not later than six (6) months after the effectivity of this
Act. The Economic Resilience Plan (ERP) shall include a strategy for measuring and
monitoring economic resilience and identification of structural reforms needed to
increase the ability of the economy to withstand and recover from shocks. The plan
shall include the institutionalization of national measures that account for ecosystem
services and natural capital accounting and shall ensure that the totality of
government medium-term development plans and projects are well within the
capacities to produce materials and services as may be determined by NEDA. The
ERP shall include the following:

(a) The required investments in the health care sector in the next ten (10)
years to ensure its ability to respond to the health care needs of the population,
including emerging infectious diseases similar to COVID-19;

(b) The required investment in digital infrastructure to improve
connectivity and access to digital technology to enable Philippine businesses and
households to cope with crises and shocks;

(c) The required database to ensure the responsiveness of social protection
programs of the government for vulnerable and displaced households during periods
of external shocks such as the outbreak of COVID-19; and

(d) The required key climate change adaptation and mitigation investments
to operationalize a low emissions and climate-resilient development pathway toward
a green economy.

SEC. 37. Accelerated Implementation of FPIAP, NBP, and related PAPs. - For
purposes of accelerating the implementation of the FPIAP, NBP, and such other ICT
and ICT-enabled government measures for the country's COVID-19 recovery and
resiliency, and within the period specified in this Act, the DICT is hereby authorized
to:

1. Undertake in the most judicious, economical, and expeditious manner such
direct or ancillary procurement activities as it may deem necessary or
incidental to attaining the aforesaid purposes, as an exemption from the
provisions of Republic Act No. 9184 or the "Government Procurement Reform
Act” and other relevant laws, subject to the conditions laid down in Section 4
(a), RA 11494,

2, Enter into and implement, in the most judicious, economical, and expeditious
manner, such direct or ancillary partnerships, cooperation agreements,
contracts, and other suitable arrangements as it may deem necessary or
incidental to attaining the aforesaid purposes.


3. Promulgate in accordance with the provisions of RA 10844 and RA10929, such
departmental issuances as may be necessary or incidental to further
streamline its processes and procedures in order to more effectively and
immediately pursue and implement the abovementioned activities.


CHAPTER VIII:
Miscellaneous Provisions

SEC. 32. Sources of Funding. — The herein enumerated subsidy and stimulus
measures shall be funded from the following:

a) 2022 General Appropriations Act (GAA): Provided, That funds for the herein
authorized programs, activities 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, traveling expenses, supplies and materials, expenses,
professional services, general services, advertising expenses, printing and
publication expenses, and other maintenance and operating expenses in the
2022 GAA‘ Provided, further, That to fast track economic recovery and pump
prime the economy, implementation ready programs, activities, and
projects, including programs, activities, and projects that have not yet
undergone the procurement process, whether for comprehensive release
(FCR), or for later release (FLR), shall not be discontinued, and
appropriations for such programs, activities, and projects shall be
immediately released. Provide, finally, programs, activities, and projects
that have the highest multiplier effect and that promote countryside
development, including infrastructure projects, shall be prioritized in the
release of appropriations. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Act, the
discontinued programs, activities and projects may be revived at any time
after the COVID-19 pandemic has ceased, and notwithstanding the
provisions of Republic Act No. 11639 or the "General Appropriations Act of
2022', may be revived and funded within the next two (2) fiscal years.

b) Savings pooled pursuant to Republic Act No. 11469, otherwise known as the
"Bayanihan to Heal as One Act" and Republic Act No. 11494, as amended,
otherwise known as "Bayanihan to Recover as One Act";

c) 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 2022 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
2021 BESF;


e) Unutilized or unreleased balances in special purpose funds (SPFs): Any
unutilized or unreleased balance in special purpose funds (SPFs) shall be
considered to have their purpose abandoned during the state of national
emergency as declared by the President of the Philippines. All such unspent,
unutilized or unreleased money or funds sourced from SPF shall be utilized
and are hereby appropriated for such measures to address the COVID-19
situation and to accomplish the declared national policy herein;

f) Cash, funds, and investments held by any GOCC or any National
Government Agency: Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the
President of the Philippines 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; and

Unused appropriation for debt servicing: Notwithstanding any law to the
contrary, the President of the Philippines may direct the discontinuance of
unutilized automatic appropriations for debt service and available
appropriations for redemption of maturing government securities and use
the savings generated therefrom to augment the allocation for any item
necessary for the purposes identified in this Act. All amounts so
reprogrammed, reallocated, or realigned shall be deemed automatically
appropriated for the said purposes: Provided, That for interest payments,
the savings will be generated from the unused appropriations after actual
payment of interest per month as reported by the Bureau of Treasury to the
DBM: Provided, further, That for principal repayment, the savings will be
generated from the funds freed up as a result of a debt exchange by the BTr.

®)

SEC. 32. Lifting of Quick Response Fund Cap. - The thirty percent (30%) cap on
the amount appropriated for the Quick Response Fund, as provided for in Republic
Act No. 10121 or the "Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of
2010", is hereby lifted during the state of national emergency as declared by the
President of the Philippines.


SEC. 40. BSP Provisional Advances. - Notwithstanding Section 89 of Republic Act
No. 7653 or "The New Central Bank Act", as amended, the BSP is hereby
authorized to make additional direct provisional advances with or without interest
to the National Government to finance expenditures authorized by law that will
address and respond to the COVID-19 situation: Provided, That such additional
direct provisional advances shall not, in their aggregate, exceed ten percent (10%)
of the average income of the National Government for FYs 2018 to 2020: Provided,
further, That said additional direct provisional advances shall be availed of by the
National Government within two (2) years from the effectivity of this Act: Provided,
furthermore, That the additional direct provisional advances shall be repaid before
the end of one (1) year following the date that the Natipnal Government received
such additional direct provisional advances pursuant to this Act, extendible for
another year as the Monetary Board may allow.

SEC. 41. Remittance of GOCC Dividends. - Within ninety (90) days from the
effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of Finance shall draw up and submit to the
Joint Executive- Legislative Bayanihan Council a report containing the respective
annual net earnings of all of government-owned and -controlled corporations
(GOCCs) and their respective annual net earnings for Fiscal Year 2020, and
quarterly earnings for quarters preceding the effectivity of this Act. The Joint
Executive-Legislative Bayanihan Council shall recommend to the President of the
Philippines a list of GOCCs that may be mandated to increase their dividend
remittances to the government pursuant to Section 5 of Republic Act No. 7656:
Provided, That proceeds from the exercise of the power of the President of the
Philippines to augment the percentage of annual net earnings declared by a
government-owned or controlled corporation as dividends to the National
Government for the duration of the effectivity of this Act shall be used exclusively
to fund the appropriations made in this Act.

SEC. 42. Authority to Withdraw Capital. - Upon the recommepdation of the Joint
Executive-Legislative Bayanihan Council, the President of the Philippines is
hereby authorized, for the duration of the effectivity of this Act, to order the
withdrawal capital from GOCCs: Provided, That the following conditions are
satisfied:
a) The GOCC is overcapitalized and unable to deploy its excess capital;
b) The GOCC is wholly owned by the National Government;
c) A withdrawal of capital will not compromise the solvency or operations of
the GOCC; and
d) There shall be proper consultation with the GOCC before it is included in
the list submitted by the Secretary of Finance: Provided, That GOCCs
created or organized by law to administer real or personal properties or
funds held in trust for the use and for the benefit of its members, shall not
be covered by this Section.


Proceeds from the exercise of the power of the President of the Philippines
under this Section shall be used exclusively to fund the appropriations made in
this Act. The power granted under this Section shall be exercised only to the extett
necessary to fund the appropriations in this Act.

SEC. 43. Long-term Plan for Economic Resilience. - The NEDA shall submit to
Congress a long-term plan for building economic resilience, not later than six (6)
months after the effectivity of this Act. The Economic Resilience Plan (ERP) shall
include a strategy for measuring and monitoring economic resilience and
identification of structural reforms needed to increase the ability of the economy to
withstand and recover from shocks. The plan shall include the institutionalization
of national measures that account for ecosystem services and natural capital
accounting and shall ensure that the totality of government medium-term
development plans and projects are well within the capacities to produce materials
and services as may be determined by NEDA. The ERP shall include the following:

a) The required investments in the health care sector in the next ten (10) years
to ensure its ability to respond to the health care needs of the population,
including emerging infectious diseases similar to COVID-19.

b) The required investment in digital infrastructure to improve connectivity

and access to digital technology to enable Philippine businesses and

households to cope with crises and shocks;

The required database to ensure the responsiveness of social protection

programs of the government for vulnerable and displaced households during

periods of external shocks such as the outbreak of COVID-19; and

d) The required key climate change adaptation and mitigation investments to
operationalize a low emissions and climate-resilient development pathway
toward a green economy.

¢)

The ERP shall form part of the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) of NEDA.

SEC. 44. Creation of the Joint Executive-Legislative Bayanihan Council, - A Joint
Executive and Legislative Bayanihan Council is hereby created in order to monitor
disbursements under this Act. The Bayanihan Council (Council) shall be tasked with
ensuring that interventions are well-targeted to intended beneficiaries and funds are
disbursed properly and in a timely manner. The Council shall publicly publish
monthly reports on all actions taken under this Act.

SEC. 45. Composition of the Council. - Members of the Council shall include the
President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, seven (7)
members of the Cabinet to be designated by the President of the Philippines, one (1)
member of the Senate to be designated by the President of the Senate, and three (3)
members of the House of Representatives to be designated by the Speaker of the
House of Representatives, at least one of whom shall come from the minority.


CHAPTER IX

SEC. 46. Reportorial Requirement, - The President of the Philippines every first
Monday of the month, shall submit a monthly report to Congress and to the
Commission on Audit (COA) of all acts performed pursuant to this Act.

‘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. For this purpose, all reports and information required under this Act shall be
submitted to the Joint Congressional Oversight Committee created under Republic
Act No. 11494. The said committee shall determine whether such acts, orders, rules
and regulations are within the restrictions provided herein.

SEC. 47. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The implementing rules and
regulations necessary for this Act shall be issued by the President of the Philippines
within fifteen (15) days upon the effectivity of this Act.

SEC. 48. Separability Clause. - If any part, section or provision of this Act is held
invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full
force and effect.

SEC. 49. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or parts
thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

SEC. 50. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect immediately upon its publication in
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation, until adjournment of the
Third Regular Session of the Eighteenth Congress in June 30, 2022.

Approved,