Taguig-Pateros Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano (File photo)
MANILA – Taguig-Pateros Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano on Friday pushed for the proposal to distribute PHP10,000 worth of cash aid (ayuda) to every Filipino family amid the coronavirus pandemic, as he thumbed down the two rounds of cash aid amounting to PHP1,000 per Filipino under the proposed Bayanihan to Arise as One Act (Bayanihan 3).
Cayetano expressed hope that the P10K Ayuda Bill, which proposes the distribution of PHP10,000 to every Filipino family as the country continues to grapple with the pandemic, would gain a "snowball of support" among legislators.
He noted that the proposed budget of over PHP200 billion for the "ayuda" under the Bayanihan 3 bill is enough to cover the distribution of PHP10,000 per household.
"May consensus naman talaga ang buong Pilipinas na kailangan ng PHP10-K ayuda ng mga Pilipino at ito’y mabuti sa ekonomiya at ito ay mabuti sa pamilya (There is really consensus in the Philippines that the PHP10,000 cash aid is really much-needed by Filipinos and this would not only be better for the economy, but also for the families," Cayetano said in a statement.
Cayetano 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 PHP10,000 ay maibigay at agad-agad na isunod naman ang iba pang stimulus gaya ng health, agriculture, tourism, education, at kabuhayan (That's why I ask every congressman to fast-track [its passage] and explain to Malacanang that we have the funds for it. So that we could immediately distribute the PHP10,000 and then immediately provide other stimulus for health, agriculture tourism, education, and business)," he said.
The proposed P10K Ayuda Bill, which was filed by Cayetano and his allies, was consolidated into Bayanihan 3, but the provision of PHP10,000 for every family was not adopted.
"Extraordinary times need extraordinary measures. Hindi po limos ang kailangan ng mga Pilipino sa ngayon (The Filipinos do not need mere alms now)," he said.
Cayetano thanked his colleagues, particularly Parañaque Rep. Eric Olivarez, who threw their support behind the bill.
“Kung kaya ng budget bakit hindi, para sa mga nangangailangan (If the budget is enough, why not give it to those who need it)," Olivares said in a radio interview.
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 PHP1,000 each.
The bill will provide direct funding of PHP108 billion for the first tranche of the cash subsidy program and another PHP108 billion in standby funds. (PNA)
