EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session
SENATE
S. No. 1953
tLU DATE* December14 202° T]
lt0 TtMF--^:'l3 pm 
</>
BY
INDEX,.
Introduced by Senator Ralph G. Recto
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR ADDITIONAL MECHANISMS TO ACCELERATE THE 
RECOVERY AND BOLSTER THE RESILIENCY OF THE PHILIPPINE 
ECONOMY, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
As of December 13, 2020, the bulletin issued by the Department of Health 
(DOH) revealed that there have been 449,400 coronavirus (COVID)-19 cases In 
the country, of which 8,733 people have died. In response to the unprecedented 
challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic. Congress passed Republic Act (R.A.) 
No. 11469 otherwise known as the "Bayanihan to Heal as One Act" in April, 2020 
and R.A. No. 11494 otherwise known as the "Bayanihan to Recover as One Act" 
in September, this year.
These laws which are commonly known as Bayanihan 1 and 2, 
respectively, aided in putting in place stronger mechanisms in preventing and 
controlling COVID-19, reactivating the disrupted economic activities and 
reopening of shuttered industries and enterprises. These laws set up social 
safety nets to help struggling sectors cope with the impacts of the pandemic.
The key temporary emergency measures as outlined in Bayanihan 1 
include the following:
1. Mandated the P5,000 to P8,000 per month cash aid for two (2) months to
I
support 18 million low income households;


2. Facilitated prompt testing of Persons Under Investigation (PUIs) and Persons 
Under Monitoring (PUMs);
3. Required PhilHealth to pay the full cost of COVID-19 treatments;
4. Decreed frontliners to be given special risk allowance;
5. Directed PhilHealth to shoulder medical expenses of health workers exposed 
to COVID-19;
6. Provided Pl/000/000.00 to health workers who died while fighting the COVID- 
19 pandemic;
7. Relaxed procurement laws for medical supplies;
8. Directed credit flow to key sectors of the economy, like food production; and
9. Instituted moratoriums in paying loans, rents and utilities.
On the other hand, Bayanihan 2 mandated the following appropriations:
1. P13.5 Billion for health-related responses such as the continuous 
employment of existing emergency Human Resources for Health (HRH) and 
additional emergency HRH for hiring, actual hazard pay for all health 
workers and compensation of P1,000,000.00 to health workers who died 
while fighting the COVID-19 pandemic;
2. P3 Billion for the provision of personal protective equipment (PPEs) to 
COVID-19 referral hospitals;
3. P4.5 Billion to finance the construction of temporary medical isolation and 
quarantine facilities;
4. P13 Billion for cash-for-work programs for displaced workers such as Tulong 
Panghanapbuhay Para Sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD), 
COVID-19 Adjustment Measures Program (CAMP) and Abot Kamay ang 
Pagtulong (AKAP) Program for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) by the 
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE);
5. P39.4 Billion for the infusion of capital to government financial Institutions 
(GFIs) such as Philippine Guarantee Corporation (PhilGuarantee), Landbank 
of the Philippines (LBP), Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), and 
Small Business Corporation (SBCorp.);


6. P24 Billion to provide direct cash or loan interest rate subsidies under the 
programs of DA-Agricultural Credit Policy Council;
7. P9.5 Billion to finance Department of Transportation (DOTr) programs;
8. PlOO Million to finance the training and subsidies for tourist guides;
9. P3 Billion to assist state universities and colleges (SUCs) in the development 
of smart campuses to fully implement flexible learning modalities;
10. P600 Million for subsidies and allowances to qualified students;
11. P300 Million for subsidies and allowances of displaced teaching and non- 
teaching personnel;
12. PI Billion for additional scholarship funds of Technical Education and Skills 
Development Authority (TESDA);
13. P6 Billion to finance Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 
programs;
14. P4 Billion to assist Department of Education (DepEd) in the implementation 
of Digital Education, IT and Digital Infrastructures and Alternative Learning 
Modalities;
15. P180 Million as allowances for national athletes and coaches;
16. P820 Million to augment Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)-Office of the 
Migrant Workers Affairs of 2020 Assistance-to-National Fund for repatriation- 
related expenses;
17. P4 Billion for the tourism industry;
18. P4.5 Billion for the construction and maintenance of isolation facilities;
19. PIO Million for COVID-19 research;
20. P15 Million for the establishment of a computational laboratory in UP 
Diliman-Institute of Mathematics;
21. Standby fund of P25.5 Billion which includes PIO Billion for COVID-19 testing 
and procurement of COVID-19 medication and vaccine.
Bayanihan 2 also instituted moratoriums in paying loans, rents and
utilities.
Notwithstanding these measures which cushion the socio-economic impact
of the pandemic, our agony is not yet over as three typhoons which badly hit the
Philippines in October and November 2020 had exacerbated the disastrous


impact of COVID-19. We were not yet able to fully flatten the curve and yet our 
country had already been battered by typhoons Roily, Quinta and Ulysses which 
came in succession in two weeks' time. These three typhoons affected a total 
number of 1.25 million families, caused 119 deaths and left P14.9 and P9.8 
worth of damages in infrastructure and agriculture, respectively.1
If we were quick to act on Bayanihan 1 and 2, certainly, we can fast track 
this Bayanihan 3 as a continuing response to soften the impact of an economic 
downturn, accelerate the economic recovery of the country and respond to the 
urgent needs of areas battered by the recent typhoons.
Thus, this bill, otherwise known as the Bayanihan to Rebuild as One Act, aims 
to provide P485 Billion to help the country bounce back, to wit:
1. P55 Billion for the procurement of COVID-19 medication and vaccines;
2. P55 Billion to be allocated for the handling of vaccines, hiring of contact 
tracers, testing and treatment under PhilHealth, and payment of actual 
hazard duty pay;
3. PlOO Billion for worker subsidies;
4. PlOO Billion for the capacity building of critically impacted sectors;
5. P70 Billion for additional social amelioration to affected households;
6. P20 Billion for assistance to households that have been severely impacted by 
recent typhoons;
7. P30 Billion for assistance to displaced workers;
8. P50 Billion for rehabilitation of typhoon-affected areas;
9. P3 Billion for internet allowances for DepEd K to 12 teachers and students; 
and
10. P2 Billion for the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) for internet 
allowances for tertiary level teachers and students.
It has been more than two hundred and seventy (270) days since the 
community quarantine started on March 15, 2020. While vaccine shots are hopefully 
available next year to inoculate millions of Filipinos, Bayanihan 3 should nevertheless 
be enacted in order to help the economy further recover both from the twin
1 National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Cduncil Situation Reports for Typhoons Roiiy, 
Quinta and Ulysses.


challenges of the pandemic and natural calamities which continuously grapple the 
country.
Please note that this is a counterpart measure to House Biil No. 8031 fiied by 
Representative Stella Quimbo of the 2nd District of Marikina City. Whiie this bill, in 
the meantime, essentially adopts the provisions of the House Bill, this wili be subject 
to the collective wisdom of the members of the Senate.
In light of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly 
sought.
/mabm


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session
SENATE
S. No. 1953
«<
f5o E-FlLED'
[lU ftATis» December 14 2020 fj
{<f> T«MPy03:13pm 
W
by:
BJLtSVaJlNOEX^
Introduced by Senator Ralph G. Recto
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AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR ADDITIONAL 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 
Rebuild 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, ensure a rising standard of 
living, and support 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 and other natural calamities to the Philippine economy and society, the 
State shall introduce additional 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;
(b) Sustain efforts to test, trace, isolate, and treat COVID-19 cases to mitigate the 
transmission of the disease and prevent further loss of lives;
(c) Mitigate the economic costs and losses stemming from the COVID-19


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pandemic;
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(d) Restore public trust and confidence on social and economic institutions; and
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(e) Accelerate the recovery and bolster the resilience of the Philippine economy
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through measures grounded on economic inclusivity and collective growth.
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Sec. 3. COVJD-19 Response and Recovery Interventions. - The following shall
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be undertaken and implemented as COVID-19 response and recovery interventions:
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(a) Health-related responses:
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(1) Procurement of COVID-19 medication and vaccines, and to finance
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logistics and operational expenses related thereto;
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(2) Provision of COVID-19 Cold Storage Supply Chain and logistical
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requirements of the Department of Health (DOH);
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(3) Hiring of contact tracers to be implemented by the Department of
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Interior and Local Government (DILG) which shall include, but not
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limited to, recruitment, training, compensation, monitoring, logistics,
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and operational expenses;
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(4) Testing and treatment to be covered under the National Health
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Insurance Program of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation
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(PhilHealth); and
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(5) Payment of actual hazard duty pay for all health workers serving in the
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frontline during the pandemic.
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(b) Wage or non-wage subsidies:
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(1) Transfers directly paid to the Social Security System (SSS) to subsidize
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payment of the employee share of premium contributions for micro,
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small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs);
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(2) Transfers to the SSS to ensure expanded sick leaves for workers who
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contract COVID-19;
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(3) Subsidies for COVID-19 testing of workers In micro, small, and
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medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs); and
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(4) Other forms of subsidies that have the effect of increasing deployment
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of vulnerable workers or re-employment of displaced workers.
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(c) The provision of capacity building to critically Impacted sectors that are
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strategic for economic growth, as determined by the Department of Trade


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and Industry (DTI) and the Development Budget Coordination Committee 
(DBCC);
(d) The provision of internet aiiowances to teachers and students in primary, 
secondary, and tertiary public schools; and
(e) The use of government savings to fund government projects or measures 
which are implementation-ready and with large multiplier effects, such as 
infrastructure projects, including but not limited to flood control and 
socialized housing projects. Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the 
President shall have the power to reprogram, reallocate, and realign from 
savings on other Items in the FY 2020 GAA in the Executive Department, as 
may be necessary to Implement this provision.
Sec. 4. Calamity Response Interventions. - The following shall be undertaken 
and implemented as response to recent typhoons that have impacted the country:
(a) The provision of emergency subsidies to households that have been severely 
impacted by recent typhoons;
(b) The provision of unemployment assistance or cash-for-work for displaced 
workers, including cash for clean-up duties and home building for typhoon 
affected areas; and
(c) The provision of relief and rehabilitation assistance for flood and typhoon 
victims and the repair, reconstruction and/or construction of all flood control 
works, roads, bridges, public buildings and other damaged public works, to be 
distributed proportionately among the provinces and cities affected.
Sec. 5. Procurement of COVID-19 Drugs and Vaccines. - Notwithstanding any 
law to the contrary, the requirement of Phase IV trials for COVID-19 medication and 
vaccine stipulated in the Universal Health Care Act Is hereby waived to expedite the 
procurement of said medication and vaccine: Provided, That these are 
recommended and approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) and/or other 
internationally recognized health agencies: Provided, further. That the minimum 
standards for the distribution of the said medication and vaccines shall be 
determined by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Health Technology 
Assessment Council (HTAC), as may be applicable: Provided, furthermore. That 
notwithstanding any laws to the contrary, advance payment not exceeding fifty
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percent (50%) of the contract amount, unless otherwise directed by the President, 
shall also be allowed for the procurement of COVID-19 drugs and vaccines: 
Provided, even further, That nothing in this Act shall prohibit private entities from 
conducting research, developing, manufacturing, importing, distributing or selling 
COVID-19 vaccines sourced from registered pharmaceutical companies, subject to 
the provisions of this Act and existing laws, rules and regulations: Provided, finaiiy. 
That this section shall remain in effect until such time that the DOH has fully 
implemented its COVID-19 program notwithstanding the expiration of this Act.
Sec. 6. Procurements Made to Respond to Caiamities. - Notwithstanding any 
law to the contrary, goods required to address contingencies arising from natural or 
man-made calamities shall be procured In the most judicious, economical, and 
expeditious manner, as exemptions fronh 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:
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Project name;
(ii) 
Approved budget for contract;
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Contract period;
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Name of winning supplier, distributor, manufacturer, contractor, or 
consultant;
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Amount of contract as awarded;
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Notice of award;
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Date of award and acceptance;
(viii) Contract or purchase order; and
(ix) A certification stating that the procuring entity exerted all efforts to 
secure the most advantageous price to the government based on 
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or preliminary market scanning done by the agency showing prevailing 
market prices and practices:
Provided, further, 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.
Sec. 7. Regularization ofMSMEs. - To ensure that MSMEs are able to avail of 
programs, the Commissioner of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) shall waive 
registration and other related fees of MSMEs for the duration of the effectivity of this 
Act and if necessary, provide accommodation for the registration process and 
compliance of MSMEs.
The DTT Secretary shall issue the necessary rules and regulations to provide 
special accommodation for the registration and compliance with regulatory 
requirements of MSMEs, including those registered under the Securities and 
Exchange Commission (SEC).
Local government units (LGUs) shall be encouraged by the DILG and the 
Department of Finance-Bureau of Local Government Finance (DOF-BLGF) to waive 
similar local registration and processing fees.
The Negosyo Centers under the DTI shall coordinate with national and local 
government agencies and LGUs to ensure the widest dissemination of information 
and benefits under this program, as well as other programs offered by sectors, 
donor agencies, and bilateral partners.
Sec. 8. Credit Mediation and Restructuring Service. - To ensure that MSMEs 
are able to fulfill obligations under more favorable terms of credit, to strengthen the 
liquidity and financial position thereof, and to expedite the country's economic 
recovery, there shall be created a Credit Mediation and Restructuring Service 
(CMRS), through the Negosyo Centers or any other business assistance office of the 
LGU, to act as credit advisers and mediators between MSMEs and the banks and 
lending institutions, and assist MSMEs in obtaining favorable credit and loan terms 
from the banks and lending institutions.
The CMRS shall: (i) ensure that an MSME is given sound financial advice on, 
among others, the proposed borrowing, the risks involved, and the financial position


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and operation of the relevant MSME; (ii) assist In evaluation of the financing; (iii) 
oversee the negotiation process until terms of financing are agreed upon; and (iv) 
ensure that an MSME is given better access to financing and to a fair and 
transparent borrowing and appeals process.
The Negosyo Centers shall coordinate with LCDs, financial institutions and 
government agencies to ensure the widest dissemination of information and benefits 
under this program.
The DTI Secretary, together with the head of private sector associations 
representing MSMEs and financial institutions, shall jointly issue the implementing 
rules and regulations of this Section within ten (10) days from the effectivlty of this 
Act.
Sec. 9. 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 effectivlty 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 ensure that the totality of government 
medium term development plans and projects are well within the capacities to 
produce materials or links 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 crisis and shocks;
(c) The required database to ensure the responsiveness of social protection 
programs of the government for vulnerable and displaced households during 
period of external shocks such as the outbreak of COVID-19; and


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(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 10. Review of Flood Management Masterplan. - The NEDA, in 
coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the 
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), shall review, and revise 
as necessary, the Flood Management Masterplan for Metro Manila and Surrounding 
Areas in order to improve disaster risk reduction and resilience, considering the 
proposed plans of LGUs for their respective jurisdictions. The revised masterplan 
shall be submitted to Congress within three (3) months from the effectivity of this 
Act.
Sec. 11. Creation of the Bayanihan Council. - A joint executive and legislative 
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. 12. 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, three (3) members 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 dominant minority party.
Sec. 13. Appropriations. - The following amounts, or so much thereof as may 
be necessary, are hereby appropriated and shall be used to support operations and 
response measures to address the COVID-19 pandemic as provided under Section 3 
of this Act, and the Impact of recent typhoons as provided In Section 4 of this Act:
(a) Fifty-five Billion pesos (P55,000,000,000.00) for the procurement of 
COVID-19 medication and vaccines, and to finance logistics and 
operational expenses related thereto;
(b) Fifty-five Billion pesos (P55,000,000,000.00) for health-related responses 
as provided under Section 3(a) of this Act, to be allocated as follows:


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(1) Twenty Billion pesos (P20/000/000,000.00) for the provision of 
COVID-19 Cold Storage Supply Chain and logistics, as provided under 
Section 3(a)(2) of this Act;
(2) Five Billion pesos (P5,000/000,000.00) for the hiring of contact 
tracers, as provided under Section 3(a)(3) of this Act;
(3) Fifteen Billion pesos (P15,000,000,000.00) for the testing and 
treatment, as provided under Section 3(a)(4) of this Act; and
(4) Fifteen Billion pesos (P15,000,000,000.00) for the payment of actual 
hazard duty pay, as provided under Section 3(a)(5) of this Act.
(c) One Hundred Billion pesos (P100,000,000,000.00) for worker subsidies 
provided under Section 3(b) of this Act;
(d) One Hundred Billion pesos (P100,000,000,000.00) for the capacity 
building of critically impacted sectors that are strategic for economic 
growth, as provided under Section 3(c) of this Act;
(e) Seventy Billion pesos (P70,000,000,000.00) for the provision of 
emergency subsidies and assistance to households impacted by the 
COVID-19 pandemic through a social protection distribution system, such 
as but not limited to the Assistance for Individuals in Crisis Situation 
(AICS) program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development 
(DSWD);
(f) Twenty Billion pesos (P20,000,000,000.00) for the provision of emergency 
subsidies and assistance to households that have been severely impacted 
by recent typhoons as provided under Section 4(a) of this Act;
(g) Thirty Billion pesos (P30,000,000,000.00) for the implementation of 
unemployment assistance and cash-for-work programs, including cash- 
for- clean-up and cash-for-home building programs, for displaced workers 
as may be necessary in the management of, or response to, the 
pandemic, or to address the impact of recent typhoons and calamities, 
such as, but not limited to, the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating 
Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD), COVID-19 Adjustment 
Measures Program (CAMP), and Abot Kamay ang Pagtulong (AKAP) 
programs under the Department of Labor and Employment;


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(h) Fifty Billion pesos (P50/000,000,000.00) for the relief and rehabilitation 
assistance for flood and typhoon victims and for the repair, reconstruction 
and/or construction of all flood control works, roads, bridges, public 
buildings and other damaged public works, to be distributed 
proportionately among the provinces and cities affected;
(i) Three Billion pesos (P3,000,000,000.00) for the Department of Education 
for internet allowances for K to 12 teachers and students as provided 
under Section 3(d) of this Act; and
j) Two Billion pesos (P2,000,000,000.00) for the Commission on Higher 
Education (CHED) for internet allowances for tertiary level teachers and 
students as provided under Section 3(d) of this Act.
Sec. 14. 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. 15. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations 
or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended 
accordingly.
Sec. 16. 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 Second Regular Session of the Eighteenth Congress on June 4, 
2021.
Approved,