Press Release
March 26, 2020

Bong Go: expedite implementation of "Bayanihan to Heal as One Act" to unburden affected Filipinos amid COVID-19 crisis

Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go appealed to the Executive Department on Wednesday, March 25, to hasten the implementation of Republic Act No. 11469 or the "Bayanihan to Heal As One Act," which authorizes the President to exercise powers that are necessary in addressing the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation in the country.

"I'm calling po on the Executive. Nakikiusap po ako sa kanila bilang kasamahan ko noon. Huwag nating pahirapan pa. Bilisan na po natin dahil kailangang kailangan na nila (mga Pilipino) ng tulong, lalong lalo na po ang 18 million families na pinilit nating manatili sa kanilang pamamahay," said Go, who served as the Special Assistant to the President before becoming a Senator, on DZMM's "Failon Ngayon."

He further explained, "Merong bubuuhin na Technical Working group ang Executive, Inter-Agency Task Force, composed of DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) bilang Chair, DTI (Department of Trade and Industry), DOLE (Department of Labor and Employment), DA (Department of Agriculture), PLLO (Presidential Legislative Liaison Office), Department of Finance, DBM (Department of Budget and Management) bilang miyembro."

"This will operationalize the social assistance programs ng gobyerno. This will start itong social asssistance ng gobyerno at maglalabas ng joint memorandum circular ang mga ahensyang ito na magtatalaga ng mga guidelines ng programs, so dapat po itong madaliin at di na po makakaantay ang ating mga kababayan."

Go also urged economic managers and concerned agencies to study if a 30-day grace period for payment of loans and waiving of fees can be considered if necessary, in line with the provisions of the law.

"Kailangan po 'yun, 'yung palugit, ika nga sa Tagalog. Bigyan muna natin sila (mga Pilipino) ng palugit. Mahihirapan po silang magbayad sa ngayon dahil walang trabaho, walang negosyo. Hindi po umiikot 'yung negosyo sa panahong ito," Go said.

RA 11469 authorizes President Rodrigo Duterte to exercise powers that are necessary in addressing the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation in the country. One of the temporary emergency measures that the President may adopt is to direct financial institutions to implement a grace period of at least 30 days for the payment of all loans without incurring interests, penalties, fees and other charges.

The President may direct all public and private banks, quasi-banks, financing companies, lending companies, and other financial institutions, including the Government Service Insurance System, Social Security System and Pag-ibig Fund.

The covered loans include salary, personal, housing, and motor vehicle loans, as well as credit card payments, falling due within the period of the enhanced community quarantine. Interests, penalties, fees or other charges will be waived, and persons with multiple loans shall also be given the minimum 30-day grace period for every loan.

Go stressed that the authority granted to the President during this state of emergency is for a limited period only and is subject to restrictions as stated in the law and in the Constitution.

"Hindi po ito maaabuso. Gagamitin lang po ito sa limited time... at kung kailangan po ay maaaring palawigin pa ito ng Kongreso. Pwede rin po itong bawiin ng Kongreso kung sakaling hindi na po kailangan."

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