MANILA – Congress has approved a measure that would grant President Rodrigo Duterte additional powers to curb the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the country.
The House of Representatives adopted the Senate Bill 1418 declaring the existence of a national emergency. This would give Duterte additional powers to address the outbreak.
The bill, also known as the “Bayanihan to Heal as One Act,” was approved at around 3 a.m. on Tuesday. It is now ready for President Rodrigo Duterte’s signature.
Under the measure, Duterte is given authority to provide an emergency subsidy to 18 million low-income households worth between P5,000 and P8,000 for a month to two months.
Public and private health workers who may contract severe COVID-19 infection while in their line of duty will also be provided compensation of P100,000 while those who may die while fighting the pandemic will be compensated P1 million.
Duterte can also “direct the operation” of any privately-owned hospitals and medical and health facilities including passenger vessels and other establishments to house health workers, assign quarantine areas, and give medical relief, provided that the owners of the enterprise will be retained, and only when the public interest requires. Refusal to cooperate will be penalized.
The President may still “take over” their operations if these enterprises are no longer capable of operating “subject to the limits and safeguards enshrined in the Constitution.”
Duterte may now also ensure that local government units are acting in line with the national government’s policy and may impose corresponding penalties if they disobey directives on quarantine protocols.
The Chief Executive’s special powers will be in full force for only three months, unless extended by Congress, or withdrawn sooner via a concurrent resolution./PN
