Taguig-Pateros Representative Alan Peter Cayetano on Friday pushed for the proposal to give every family P10,000 in cash aid (ayuda) amid the COVID-19 pandemic, as he thumbed down the two rounds of cash aid amounting to P1,000 for every individual under the proposed Bayanihan to Arise as One Act (Bayanihan 3).
Cayetano expressed hope that the P10K Ayuda Bill, which proposes the distribution of P10,000 to every Filipino family as the country continues to grapple with the pandemic, would gain a “snowball of support” among legislators.
The veteran legislator noted that the proposed budget of over P200 billion for the “ayuda” under the Bayanihan 3 bill is enough to cover the distribution of P10,000 per household.
“Ito’y mabuti sa ekonomiya at ito ay mabuti sa pamilya.”
“May consensus naman talaga ang buong Pilipinas na kailangan ng P10-K ayuda ng mga Pilipino at ito’y mabuti sa ekonomiya at ito ay mabuti sa pamilya,” the seasoned lawmaker said.
He urged his colleagues to fast-track House action on the P10K Ayuda Bill to provide the financial support for the severely affected households’ livelihoods and the necessary stimulus package to help the distressed sectors of society.
“Kaya pakiusap ko sa lahat ng kongresista na gawin nating mabilis at i- explain natin sa Malakanyang na may pera naman. At agad-agad na yung P10,000 ay maibigay at agad-agad na isunod naman ang iba pang stimulus gaya ng health, agriculture, tourism, education, at kabuhayan,” he stressed.
“Hindi po limos ang kailangan ng mga Pilipino sa ngayon.”
The proposed P10K Ayuda Bill, which was filed by Cayetano and his allies, was consolidated into Bayanihan 3, but the provision of P10,000 for every family was not adopted.
“Extraordinary times need extraordinary measures. Hindi po limos ang kailangan ng mga Pilipino sa ngayon,” he stressed.
Cayetano thanked his colleagues, particularly ParañaqueRepresentative Eric Olivarez, who threw their support behind the bill.
“Kung kaya ng budget bakit hindi, para sa mga nangangailangan,” Olivares said.
Under the Bayanihan 3 bill, all Filipinos will receive financial aid as a form of universal basic income that will be given in two tranches of P1,000 each.
The bill will provide direct funding of P108 billion for the first tranche of the cash subsidy program and another P108 billion in standby funds.