All Filipinos, regardless of social status, will receive a total of P2,000 cash aid each under the third Bayanihan COVID stimulus bill which addresses the "sana all (hopefully for everyone)" complaint with past ayuda distribution, one of its proponents said Tuesday.
A total of P216 million will be distributed to 108 million Filipinos in two tranches of P1,000 each, three months apart under the proposed P405.6-billion Bayanihan to Arise as One Act (Bayanihan 3), said Marikina Rep. Stella Quimbo.
"This is largely an ayuda bill, a big chunk of the P405.6 billion will go to ayuda, P216 billion to be exact is our base ayuda meaning it's the P1,000 per Filipino for two tranches," Quimbo explained in a CNN Philippines interview on Wednesday.
"If you're a family of five, regardless of age, you will be entitled to P5,000."
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Everyone is affected by the pandemic, hence the distribution of cash aid should not be selective, Quimbo said.
"Kung hindi ka man mamatay sa COVID, baka naman gutom ang ikamatay mo, so that's really where we are at this point. Many of our kababayans really need help. Hunger is a very basic problem."
Indigent families will receive bulk of the ayuda package with an average family size of six, while the richest families have an average family size of three.
The bill passed the joint House panel on economic affairs and social services, and the committee on ways and means. Next, it will need the approval of the committee on appropriations.
Plenary debates are expected to start when House resumes session on May 17.
Additional ayuda
The proposed Bayanihan 3 bill also set aside aid for those who lost their jobs to COVID and even those affected by the African swine fever outbreak.
"There are other types of assistance programs so basically over and above your base ayuda, you can be entitled to additional ayuda depending on your needs," said Quimbo.
The aid also aims to persuade COVID-stricken Filipinos to stay at home with a maximum P10,000 ayuda per person.
"Siyempre dahil dala ng gutom kahit sinabi sa atin ng gobyerno na stay at home, talagang kailangan mo lumabas ng bahay para kumita. By giving them an amount, that should be some form of help to allow you to comply with minimum health standards."
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