The administration’s “Build, Build and Build” program and other construction works must be insulated from the effects of COVID-19.
In order to minimize delays in the implementation of infrastructure projects in the wake of emergency measures to contain the novel coronavirus, laborers must be given ready access to construction sites notwithstanding the “community quarantine” policy.
There is no need for the Congress to hold a special session to approve a supplemental budget to defray the government’s expenditures related to the COVID-19 pandemic because the President’s Contingent Fund and the traditional Calamity Fund are immediately available funding sources without waiting for legislative authorization.
As provided for in the 2020 General Appropriations Act (GAA), the Contingent Fund of P13 billion “shall cover the funding requirements of new or urgent projects and activities of national government agencies and GOCCs that need to be implemented or paid during the year”.
In the wake of the one-month long lockdown in the National Capital Region (NCR) from March 15 to April 14, 2020 to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the government must consider extending economic packages and assistance to affected workers and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
The one-day limited “hearing” on ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal on Tuesday, 10 March 2020 at 1:00 PM, by the House committee on legislative franchises appears to be cosmetic and inconsequential.
Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano emphasized that the setting would concentrate on the National Telecommunications Commission’s (NTC) response to his instruction that meanwhile it should grant the broadcast giant a provisional authority to operate pending the congressional renewal of its franchise.
On behalf of the numerous advocates for press freedom in the House of Representatives, I truly appreciate the decision of Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano to start on March 10, 2020 the consideration of the 11 bills proposing the extension for another 25 years of the legislative franchise of ABS-CBN.
