MANILA – Malacañang has asked Congress to declare a national emergency and grant President Rodrigo Duterte “necessary and proper” powers – including the power to take over public utilities, hospitals and businesses – to address the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in the country.
Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III told to CNN Philippines that he has received a draft bill from Malacañang asking for the declaration and special powers for Duterte.
Under the proposal, Duterte will be authorized to temporarily take over or direct the operation of any privately-owned public utility or business affected with public interest, including but not limited to hotels, public transportation, and telecommunications entities.
“Hotels will be used to house health workers or serve as quarantine centers or medical relief and aid distribution centers, while public transportation will ferry health, emergency and frontline personnel,” the proposed measure said.
“Take-over of telecommunication entities is intended to facilitate uninterrupted communication channels between the government and the public,” it added.
Management of these businesses, however, will remain with the owners but the President or his representative will direct and supervise their operations, providing for a reasonable compensation for additional damage or costs incurred by the owner.
The measure also empowers the Chief Executive to purchase goods like testing kits, lease properties and construct temporary medical facilities without going through the rules on procurement, as well as require businesses to prioritize and accept contracts for materials and services in connection with the fight against COVID-19.
Public and private transportation and traffic will be regulated, same with the distribution and use of power, fuel, energy and water to ensure adequate supply.
If the bill is enacted, the President can cancel appropriated programs, projects or activities to generate savings and to reallocate unused and unspent funds, or funds allocated for discontinued projects, to measures intended to address the COVID-19 emergency.
Also written in the measure is the President given the power to realign any appropriation in the 2020 General Appropriations Act in order to fund measures to meet the emergency.
The bill also seeks to punish any violation of the rules, regulations and directives of the national government with 2 months jail time and a fine of between P10,000 to P1 million.
The Senate will hold a special session to discuss the bill at 10am Monday, while the House of Representatives is also expected to discuss a counterpart bill also on the same day.
The country recorded 73 new COVID-19 cases by Sunday morning, bringing the total number to 380. Six more people died for a total of 25 casualties, while the number of patients who recovered increased to 17./PN
