EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Special Session 
)
SENATE
1418
S. No.
(In substitution of S.B. No. 1413)
Prepared by the Committee on Finance with Senators Sotto 
and Cayetano as authors thereof
AN ACT [TO DECLARE] DECLARING THE EXISTENCE OF A NATIONAL 
EMERGENCY ARISING FROM THE CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019 (COVID- 
19) SITUATION AND A NATIONAL POLICY IN CONNECTION THEREWITH, 
AND AUTHORIZING THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE 
PHILIPPINES FOR A LIMITED PERIOD AND SUBJECT TO RESTRICTIONS, TO 
EXERCISE POWERS NECESSARY AND PROPER TO CARRY OUT THE 
DECLARED NATIONAL POLICY AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
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Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
Section 1. Short Tide. - This Act shall be known and cited as "[We] 
BA YANIHAN TO Heal As One Act."
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Section 2. State of National Emergency. - Presidential Proclamation No. 922,
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s. 2020, was issued declaring a State of Public Health Emergency throughout the
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Philippines due to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the Code Alert
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System for COVID-19 was raised to Code Red Sublevel Two (2) in accordance with
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the recommendation of the Department of Health (DOH) and the Inter-Agency Task
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Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases. Further, Presidential
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Proclamation No. 929, s. 2020, was issued declaring a State of Calamity throughout 
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In view of the continuing rise of confirmed cases of COVID-19, the serious
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threat to the health, safety, security, and lives of our countrymen, the long-term
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adverse effects on their means of livelihood, and the severe disruption of economic
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activities, a state of national emergency is hereby declared over the entire country.


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Section 3. Declaration of Policy. - The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly
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affected nations worldwide, including the Philippines, and has caused and is continuing
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to cause loss of lives and disruption to the economy. Thus, there is an urgent need
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to: (1) [minimize, if not prevent, further transmission and spread of COVID-19]
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MITIGATE, IF NOT CONTAIN, THE TRANSMISSION OF COVID-19; (2)
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immediately mobilize assistance in the provision of basic necessities to families and
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individuals affected by the imposition of Community Quarantine, especially indigents
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and their families; (3) undertake measures that will prevent the overburdening of the
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healthcare system; (4) immediately and amply provide healthcare, including medical
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tests and treatments, to COVID-19 patients, persons under investigation [(PUI)]
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(PUIs), or persons under monitoring [(PUM)] (PUMs); (5) undertake a program for
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recovery and rehabilitation, including a social amelioration program and provision of
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safety nets to all affected sectors; (6) ensure that there is sufficient, adequate and
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readily available funding to undertake the foregoing; and (7) promote and protect the
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collective interests of all Filipinos in these challenging times. By reason thereof, and
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in order to optimize the efforts of the President to carry out the tasks needed to
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implement the aforementioned policy, it is imperative to grant him authority subject
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to such limitations as hereinafter provided.
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Section 4. Authorized Powers. - [Pursuant to Article VI, Section 23 (2) of
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the Constitution, and to implement the declared national policy, the President is
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hereby authorized to issue such rules, regulations and directives as may be necessary
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to carry out any or all of the following powers:] PURSUANT TO ARTICLE VI,
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SECTION 23 (2) OF THE CONSTITUTION, THE PRESIDENT IS HEREBY
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AUTHORIZED TO EXERCISE POWERS THAT ARE NECESSARY AND PROPER
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TO CARRY OUT THE DECLARED NATIONAL POLICY. THE PRESIDENT SHALL
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HAVE THE POWER TO ADOPT THE FOLLOWING TEMPORARY EMERGENCY
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MEASURES TO RESPOND TO CRISIS BROUGHT BY THE PANDEMIC:
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(1) Adopt and implement measures to prevent or [minimize] SUPPRESS 
further transmission and spread of COVID-19 THROUGH EFFECTIVE 
EDUCATION, DETECTION, PROTECTION, AND TREATMENT;
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(2) [Expedite the medical testing and observation of PUIs and PUMs and the 
immediate treatment of patients suffering from COVID-19] EXPEDITE 
AND STREAMLINE THE ACCREDITATION OF TESTING KITS AND 
FACILITATE PROMPT TESTING BY PUBLIC AND DESIGNATED 
PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS OF PUIs AND PUMs AND 
COMPULSORY AND IMMEDIATE ISOLATION AND TREATMENT 
OF PATIENTS;
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(3) Ensure that all Local Government Units (LGUs) are acting in line with the 
rules, regulations and directives issued by the National Government 
pursuant to this Act; are implementing standards of community


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quarantine 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;
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(4) CONSISTENT WITH SEC. 17, ART. XII OF THE CONSTITUTION,
[W] when the public interest so requires, direct the operation of any 
privately-owned hospitals and medical and health facilities INCLUDING 
PASSENGER VESSELS AND, other establishments, to house health 
workers, serve as quarantine areas, quarantine centers, medical relief 
and aid distribution locations, or other temporary medical facilities; and 
public transportation to ferry health, emergency, and frontline personnel 
and other persons; Provided, however. That the management and 
operation of the foregoing enterprises shall be retained by the owners 
of the enterprise, who shall render a full accounting to the President or 
his duly authorized representative of the operations of the utility or 
business as basis for appropriate compensation; Provided, further. That 
reasonable compensation for any additional damage or costs incurred 
by the owner or the possessor of the subject property solely on account 
of complying with the directive shall be given to the person entitled to 
the possession of such private properties or businesses after the 
situation has stabilized or at the soonest time practicable; Provided, 
finally, that if the foregoing enterprises unjustifiably refuse or signified 
that they are no longer capable of operating their enterprises for the 
purpose stated herein, the President may take over their operations 
subject to the limits and safeguards enshrined in the Constitution;
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(5) Continue to [adopt] ENFORCE measures to protect the people from 
hoarding, profiteering, injurious specuiations, 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;
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(6) ENSURE THAT DONATION ACCEPTANCE AND DISTRIBUTION 
OF HEALTH PRODUCTS INTENDED TO ADDRESS THE COVID-19 
PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY ARE NOT UNNECESSARILY 
DELAYED;


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[(6)] (7) Undertake the procurement of the following as the need arises, 
in the most expeditious manner, as exemptions from the provisions of 
Republic Act No. 9184 OR THE "GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT 
REFORM ACT" and other relevant laws:
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(a) 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:
1. 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, LUNG 
CENTER OF THE PHILIPPINES, AND DR. JOSE N. 
RODRIGUEZ MEMORIAL HOSPITAL;
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PRIVATE HOSPITALS WHICH HAVE EXISTING 
CAPACITIES TO PROVIDE SUPPORT CARE AND 
TREATMENT TO COVID-19 PATIENTS; AND
3. PUBLIC AND PRIVATE LABORATORIES THAT HAVE 
EXISTING CAPACITIES TO TEST SUSPECTED COVID-19 
PATIENTS.
(b) Goods and services for social amelioration measures in favour of affected 
communities;
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(c) 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;
(d) Establishment, construction, and operation of temporary medical 
facilities; [and]


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(e) Utilities, telecommunications, and other critical services in relation to 
operation of quarantine centers, medical relief and aid distribution 
centers and temporary medical facilities; AND
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(f) Ancillary services related to the foregoing.
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(8) MAY ENGAGE THE SERVICES OF 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;
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(9) 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 4 7(D) 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;
[(7)] (10) 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;
[(8)] (11) Liberalize the grant of incentives for the manufacture or 
importation of critical or needed equipment or supplies for the carrying- 
out of the policy declared herein, including healthcare equipment and 
supplies, PROVIDED, THAT IMPORTATION OF THESE 
EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES SHALL BE EXEMPT FROM IMPORT 
DUTIES, TAXES OTHER FEES;
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[(9)] (12) Require businesses to prioritize and accept contracts, subject to 
fair and reasonable terms, for materials and services necessary to 
promote the herein declared national policy;
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[(10)] (13) Regulate and limit the operation of all sectors of transportation 
through land, sea or air, whether private or public;


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[(11)] (14) Regulate 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;
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[(12)] (15) Continue to authorize 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;
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[(13)] (16) Conserve and regulate the distribution and use of power, fuel, 
energy and water, and ensure adequate supply of the same;
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[(14)] (17) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, direct the [cancellation] 
DISCONTINUANCE of appropriated programs, projects or activities 
(P/A/P) of any agency of the Executive Department, including 
government-owned or -controlled corporations (GOCC), in the FYs 2019 
and 2020 General Appropriations Act (GAA), WHETHER RELEASED 
OR UNRELEASED THE ALLOTMENTS FOR WHICH REMAIN 
UNOBLIGATED, and utilize the savings generated therefrom to 
augment the allocation for any item [for] DIRECTLY RELATED TO 
support operations, response measures, and other such P/A/P in the FY 
2020 GAA [as the President may deem] WHICH ARE necessary OR [,] 
beneficial [or desirable] in order to address the COVID-19 emergency, 
consistent with the herein declared national policy; PROVIDED 
HOWEVER, THAT THE FOLLOWING ITEMS IN THE BUDGET 
SHALL BE PRIORITIZED FOR AUGMENTATION:
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(A) UNDER THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH - OPERATIONAL 
BUDGETS OF GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS, PRIMARILY THOSE 
IDENTIFIED FOR TREATMENT OF COVID-19; PREVENTION AND 
CONTROL OF OTHER INFECTIOUS DISEASES; EMERGENCY 
PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE; QUICK RESPONSE FUND;
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(B) UNDER THE UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES - THE 
OPERATIONAL BUDGET OF THE PHILIPPINE GENERAL 
HOSPITAL;
(C) THE NATIONAL DISASTER RISK REDUCTION FUND OR 
CALAMITY FUND;
(D) 
PROGRAMS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND 
EMPLOYMENT, SUCH AS BUT NOT LIMITED TO TULONG 
PANGHANAPBUHAY SA ATING DISADVANTAGED/DISPLACED 
WORKERS AND COVID-19 ADJUSTMENT MEASURES PROGRAM


(CAMP);
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(E) UNDER THE DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY - 
LIVELIHOOD SEEDING PROGRAM AND NEGOSYO SERBISYO SA 
BARANGAY;
(F) UNDER THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
FARMERS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
RICE
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(G) UNDER VARIOUS DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND 
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS, SUCH AS BUT NOT LIMITED TO 
ASSISTANCE TO INDIVIDUALS IN CRISIS SITUATIONS (AICS), 
DISTRIBUTION OF FOOD AND NON-FOOD ITEMS, AND 
LIVELIHOOD ASSISTANCE GRANTS;
(H) UNDER ALLOCATIONS TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS;
(I) QUICK RESPONSE FUNDS LODGED IN THE VARIOUS 
RELEVANT DEPARTMENTS, SUCH AS, BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE 
DOH AND DSWD.
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NOTWITHSTANDING THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT, THE 
DISCONTINUED PROGRAM, ACTIVITY OR PROJECT MAY BE 
REVIVED AT ANY TIME AFTER THE NATIONAL EMERGENCY HAS 
CEASED, AND NOTWITHSTANDING SEC. 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;
[(15)] (18) Any unutilized or unreleased balance in a special purpose fund, 
as of the date of declaration of State of Emergency, shall be considered 
to have their purpose abandoned for the duration of the State of 
Emergency. 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;
[(16)] (19) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, reprogram, reallocate, 
and realign FROM SAVINGS ON OTHER ITEMS OF [any] 
appropriations in the FY 2020 GAA [for whatever purpose the President 
may deem] IN THE EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, AS MAY BE 
necessary and BENEFICIAL [desirable] to fund measures [to] THAT 
address and respond to the COVID-19 emergency, including social 
amelioration for affected communities, and the recovery [and 
rehabilitation of areas] OF AREAS, SECTORS AND INDUSTRIES


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SEVERELY AFFECTED[, where the emergency is subsiding]. All 
amounts so reprogrammed, reallocated or realigned shall be deemed 
automatically appropriated for such measures to address the COVID-19 
situation WITHIN THE PERIOD SPECIFIED UNDER SECTION 9 
HEREOF;
[(17)] (20) 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 [for whatever purpose the President may deem 
necessary and desirable] in order to address the COVID-19 emergency, 
AS DECLARED IN SECTION 3;
[(18)] (21) Move 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 Community Quarantine;
(22) DIRECT ALL BANKS, QUASI-BANKS, FINANCING COMPANIES, 
LENDING COMPANIES, AND OTHER FINANCIAL 
INSTITUTIONS, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE, INCLUDING THE 
GOVERNMENT SERVICE INSURANCE SYSTEM, SOCIAL 
SECURITY SYSTEM 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, AND MOTOR VEHICLE LOANS, 
AS WELL AS CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS, FALLING DUE WITHIN 
THE PERIOD FROM MARCH 16 TO APRIL 15, 2020, WITHOUT 
INCURRING INTERESTS, PENALTIES, FEES, OR OTHER 
CHARGES. PERSONS WITH MULTIPLE LOANS SHALL LIKEWISE 
BE GIVEN THE MINIMUM THIRTY (30)-DAY GRACE PERIOD 
FOR EVERY LOAN;
(23) PROVIDE FOR A THIRTY (30) DAY GRACE PERIOD ON 
RESIDENTIAL RENTS FALLING DUE WITHIN THE PERIOD FROM 
MARCH 16 TO APRIL 15, 2020, WITHOUT INCURRING 
INTERESTS, PENALTIES, FEES, AND OTHER CHARGES;
(24) IMPLEMENT AN EXPANDED AND ENHANCED PANTAWID 
PAMILYA PROGRAM RESPONSIVE TO THE NEEDS POSED BY 
THE CRISIS, AND PROVISION OF COMMODITY ASSISTANCE 
PROGRAM WHERE THE SECRETARY OF DEPARTMENT OF 
SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT MAY PURCHASE 
COMMODITIES FOR EMERGENCY DISTRIBUTION TO THE 
MEMBERS OF THE INFORMAL AND MARGINALIZED SECTOR
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DURING THE DURATION OF QUARANTINE. THE SECRETARY OF 
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT MAY 
APPROVE THE TEMPORARY EMERGENCY STANDARDS OF 
ELIGIBILITY AND LEVELS OF BENEFITS.
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[(19)] (25) Undertake such other measures as may be reasonable and
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necessary to enable the President to carry out the declared national
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policy subject to the Bill of Rights and other constitutional guarantees.
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Section 5. Reports to Congress and Creation of an Oversight
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Committee. - The President, during Monday of every week, shall submit a weekly
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report to Congress of all acts performed pursuant to this Act during the immediately
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preceding week. THE REPORT SHALL LIKEWISE INCLUDE THE AMOUNT AND
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CORRESPONDING UTILIZATION OF THE FUNDS USED, AUGMENTED,
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REPROGRAMMED, REALLOCATED AND REALIGNED PURSUANT THIS ACT.
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For this purpose, the Congress shall establish a Joint Congressional Oversight
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Committee composed of four (4) members of each house to be appointed by the
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Senate President and the House Speaker, respectively. This Committee shall
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determine whether such acts, orders, rules and regulations are within the restrictions
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provided herein. [This Committee can override any acts, orders, rules and regulations
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determined to be exercised in excess of the restrictions provided herein.]
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Section 6. Penafties. - IN ADDITION TO ACTS OR OMISSIONS
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PENALIZED BY EXISTING LAWS, VIOLATIONS OF THE PROVISIONS OF
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THIS ACT [Any violation of the rules, regulations and directives of the National
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Government issued pursuant hereto], shall be punishable with imprisonment of two
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(2) months or a fine of not less than Ten Thousand Pesos but not more than One
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Million Pesos, or both such imprisonment and fine at the discretion of the court,
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without prejudice to prosecution under other applicable laws with heavier penalties:
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Provided, however. That if the offender is a corporation, association, partnership or
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any other juridical person, the penalty shall be imposed upon the president, directors,
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managers, managing partners, as the case may be, who participated in the
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commission of the offense or who shall have knowingly permitted or failed to prevent
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the commission of the same. If the offender is an alien, he shall, in addition to the
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penalties herein prescribed, be deported without further proceedings; Provided,
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further, that if the offender is a public official or employee, he shall, in addition to the
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penalties prescribed herein, suffer perpetual or temporary absolute disqualification
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from office, as the case may be.
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Section 7. Construction or Interpretation. - [Nothing in this Act shall be
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construed or interpreted as a restriction of the Bill of Rights or of the Constitution. In
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case the exercise of the powers herein granted conflicts with other laws, this Act shall
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prevail.] NOTHING HEREIN SHALL BE CONSTRUED AS AN IMPAIRMENT,


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RESTRICTION OR MODIFICATION OF THE PROVISIONS OF THE
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CONSTITUTION. IN CASE THE EXERCISE OF THE POWERS HEREIN
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GRANTED CONFLICTS WITH OTHER STATUTES, ORDERS, RULES OR
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REGULATIONS, THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT SHALL PREVAIL.
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Section 8. Separability. - If any provision of this Act or the application of
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such provision to any person or circumstance is declared invalid, the remainder of this
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Act or the application of such provision to any other person or circumstances shall not
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be affected by such declaration.
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Section 9. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect immediately upon its
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publication in a newspaper of general circulation or in the Official Gazette and shall be
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in full force and effect only for [two (2) months or longer if the calamity persist, as
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may be determined by the President,] THREE MONTHS, UNLESS EXTENDED BY
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CONGRESS [, without prejudice to the powers that the President may continue to
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exercise under the Constitution or other laws.] Provided, That the powers granted
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under this Act may be withdrawn sooner by means of a concurrent resolution of
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Congress or ended by Presidential Proclamation. [Provided, further, that the
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implementation of all P/A/Ps that were cancelled pursuant to this Act may resume any
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time after the effectivity of this Act, notwithstanding provisions of law to the contrary.]
Approved,
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