[Explanatory Note and full text of a House Bill proposed by Rufus B. Rodriguez, extending the effectivity of Republic Act No. 11469, also known as the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, for another three months. Based on reports, this proposed law will be filed tomorrow, 26 May 2020.]
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Last March 24, 2020, Republic Act 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act was signed into law. Under said law, the President of the Republic of the Philippines was given emergency powers to respond to the crisis brought by the pandemic COVID-19.
The emergency power given was only for 3 months from the effectivity of the law.
Unfortunately, 2 months after the effectivity of the law, the end of the pandemic is not yet in sight. There are still new COVID-19 positive cases being reported every day and the country is not yet fully operating.
The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a new strain of coronavirus. This new virus and disease were unknown before the outbreak began in Wuhan, China, in December 2019.
According to the DOH, as of May 21, there are already 13,434 COVID-19 positive cases and a total of 846 deaths.
It is therefore clear that the pandemic will not be over by June 24, 2020. As such, we need to extend the effectivity of the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act and give the President additional time to address the pandemic.
In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this measure is earnestly requested.
HOUSE BILL NO. __
AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11469 OR “AN ACT 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 DECARED NATIONAL POLICY AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES” BY EXTENDING ITS EFFECTIVITY FOR ANOTHER THREE MONTHS
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Section 9 of Republic Act No. 11469 or the “Bayanihan to Heal as One Act” is hereby amended to read as follows:
“SEC. 9. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect immediately upon its publication in a newspaper of general circulation or in the Official Gazette and shall be in full force and effect only for [three (3)] SIX (6) months, unless extended by Congress: Provided, That the powers granted under this Act may be withdrawn sooner by means of a concurrent resolution of Congress or ended by Presidential Proclamation.”
SEC. 2. This Act shall take effect immediately after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,
- Extension of Filing Periods and Suspension of Hearings for March 29 to April 4, 2021: SC Administrative Circular No. 14-2021 (Full Text) - March 28, 2021
- ECQ Bubble for NCR, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal: Resolution No. 106-A (Full Text) - March 27, 2021
- Guidelines on the Administration of COVID-19 Vaccines in the Workplaces (Labor Advisory No. 3) - March 12, 2021