Covid Act (Republic Act No. 11494)

SECTION 1 — Short Title. - This Act shall be known and

. cited as "Bayanihan to Recover As One SEC. 2. State of National Emergency. Proclamation No. 922, s. 2029, was issued of public health emergency thi·oughout the the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Thus, No. 11469 or the "Bayanihan to Heal as declaring a state of national emergency over 2 to control the spread of the disease. However, the rise of confirmed cases of COVID-19, and the serious threat to the health, safety, security, and lives of our countrymen The severe disruption to livelihood and all other productive activity were reflected in the country's economic contraction during the first semester of 2020. In view of unabated of the COVID-19 virus and the ensuing economic disruption therefrom, the existence of a. continuing national emergency is hereby affirmed in this Act. ·' SEC. 3. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to promote a just and dynamic social order that will ensure the prosperity and independence of the nation and free the people from poverty, particularly in the aftermath of natural and man-made disasters, through policies that provide adequate social services, and promote full employment, a rising standard of living, and an improved quality of life for all. Towards this end, and in cognizance of the tdverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to the Philippine economy and society, the State shall likewise establish mechanisms achieve the following objectives: (a) Reduce the adverse impact of COVID-19 on the socioeconomic well-being of all Filipinos through the provision of assistance, subsidies, and other forms of socioeconomic relief; (b) Consolidate, update, and validate existing records, through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in coordination with the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) and the Philippine Statistics Authority including local government units (LGUs), to come up with a comprehensive, up to date, and unified database to effectively implement the provision of socioeconomic relief intended for all properly identifying the recipients thereof; (c) Sustain efforts to test, trace, isolate, and treat COVID-19 cases to mitigate the transmission of the disease and prevent further loss of lives; (d) Enhance the capacity of the Philippine health care system to eliminate, prevent, and control disease outbreaks and pandemics and mitigate the effects of other health or 4 spread of COVID-19 through effective education, detection protection, and treatment: Prouided, That the percentage of the population that will undergo COVID-19 testing shall be in accordance with WHO standards and global benchmarks in areas identified by the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) as epicenters of COVID-19 infections and in other areas where higher possibility of transmission of COVID-19 may occur or have occurred. The DOH and DILG shall adopt a COVID-19 disease surveillance protocol that shall define minimum health standards for workplaces and business activities which shall include COVID-19 testing and the establishment of a contact tracing system including personal contact tracing whereby a person maintains a record of the places that he/she had been to and the people he/she had contact with: Provided, That any individual who tested positive for COVID-19 through laboratory confirmation at the national reference laboratory, sub-national reference laboratory, or a DOH-certified laboratory •testing facility shall be automatically treated and if necessary, in a DOH-accredited quarantine and isolation facility: Provided, further, That the IATF-EID shall identify and prioritize the areas and busmess activities critically impacted and severely affected by COVID-19 and with high probability of COVID-19 transmission, and coordinate with the relevant LGUs and government agencies for the implementation of the COVID-19 surveillance protocol: Provided, furthermore, That the DILG, in partnership with the LGUs and other government agencies, shall distribute the testing ·kits to DOH-accredited government hospitals and facilities that can perform testing: Provided, finally, That the DILG, in partnership with the LG Us, shall lead the contact tracing efforts of the government; (b) Implementation of an expedited and streamlined registration process of viral testing kits that diagnose Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), nucleic acid, antigen, and other COVID-19 testing kits recommended by the Health Technology Assessment Council (HTAC) and facilitation of prompt testing by public and designated private institutions of suspected, and probable COVID-19 cases and those with no · symptoms but with relevant travel history, or may have been exposed due to the nature of their work or due to their living conditions or had contact with a confirmed, suspected or. · 6 (3) Procurement and distribution of supplies for viral testing and other COVID-19 testing kits recommended by HTAC based on, among others, the current levels and projections of the following: (i) Number of patients and health workers with severe or critical symptoms and history of travel or exposure; and (ii) Number of patients and-'health workers with mild symptoms, rele·vant history of travel or exposure, and considered vulnerable and workers returning to work: Provided, That LGUs may implement their own procurement, distribution, and monitoring program consistent with the overall provisions of this Act and the guidelines of the DOH and recommendations by HTAC based on rapid health technology assessment process: Provided, That only testing kits which are sold attd have ·complied with relevant regulations in the country of origin with an established regulatory agency may be imported, sold, accepted by way of donation and registered in the Philippines: Provided, further, That testing kits which have been recalled by established regulatory agencies of other countries shall be likewise recalled and delisted by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA); (d) Delivery of uninterrupted immunization program against vaccine preventable diseases especially on children amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, including vaccine for COVID-19; (e) Adoption by the DOH of a uniform and consistent reporting standard in a language understandable by the general public; (f) Provision of any of the following subsidies: (1) An emergency subsidy of Five thousand pesos (P5,000.00) to Eight thousand pesos (PS,000.00) to affected low income households in areas under granular lockdown and to households with recently returned overseas Filipino workers (OFWs): Provided, That the subsidy shall be computed based on the prevailing regional minim um wage rates: Provided, 8 Any subsidy program shall, as far as practicable, be implemented through a social protection distribution system that embeds secure and privacy-preserving data capture, verification, deduplication, payroll generation, grievance, payout using digital technologies. For this purpose, the payment of necessary transaction fees for the last mile delivery of subsidies to qualified beneficiaries is hereby authorized; (g) Access 'to livelihood assistance, skills and training programs, loan assistance, and employment opportunities for repatriated and returning OFWs to ensure proper reintegration and the full utilization of their skills for national development; (h) Provision of a "COVID-19 special risk allowance" by the national government for all public and private health workers directly catering to or in contact with COVID-19 patients for every month that they are serving during the state of national emergency as declared by the President: Provided, That the COVID-19 special risk allowance of public health workers shall be in addition to the hazard pay granted under Republic Act No. 7305 or tile "Magna Carta of Public Health Workers" and the active hazard duty pay granted Act: Provided, further, That the COVID-19 special risk allowance for both public and private health workers shall be exempt from income tax; (i) Implementation of mandatory COVID-19 testing of public and private health workers every fifteen (15) days to ensure their protection; G) Assumption of all medical expenses of public and private health workers in case of exposure to COVID-19 or any work-related injury or disease during the state of national emergency as declared by the President; (k) Provision of compensation to public and private health workers who have contracted COVID-19 in the line of duty, with the following amounts, upon submission of required documents to support claims: (1) In case of death of the health worker, One.million . , pesos (Pl,000,000.00) shall be provided to the heirs health worker; JO (n) Provision of subsidies and allowances to qualified students in private and public elementary,. secondary, and tertiary education whose families are now facing financial difficulties brought about by work stoppage and closure of establishments due to the CQ, and neither part of the Listahanan of the DSWD nor covered under the Education Service Contracting (ESC), Senior High School Voucher Program (SHS VP) and Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) as provided in Republic Act Nos~ "8545, 10533 and 10931, respectively: Pro'vided, That the geographic prioritization of areas where there are no State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) and Local Universities and Colleges (LUCs) under Republic Act No. 10931 shall be suspended to make qualified students under this subsection eligible: Provided, further, That education subsidies granted under this subsection shall be released directly to the private tertiary education institutions or private basic education schools, respectively, for of applying the subsidy for unpaid tuition in school ye!ir (SY) 2019-2020 or for payment of tuition fee for SY 2020-2021: Provided, finally, That the subsidy shall be released prior to the opening of SY 2020-2021 or within a reasonable period after school opening but in illi case later than September m a manner similar to the TES, ESC, and SHS VP; (o) Provision of a one-time cash assistance to displaced teaching and non-teaching personnel, including part-time faculty or non-permanent teaching personnel, in private and public elementary, secondary, and tertiary education institutions and part-time faculty in SUCs who have lost their jobs or who have not received their wages; (p) Ensuring that all LGUs are acting within the letter and spirit of all the rules, regulations and directives issued by the national government pursuant to this Act; and implementing standards of CQ consistent with what the national government has laid down for the subject area, while allowing LGUs to continue exercising their autonomy in matters undefined by the national government or are within the parameters it has set; and are fully cooperating towards a unified, cohesive and orderly implementation of the national policy to address COVID-19: Provided, That pursuant to the constitutional. right of freedom of movement of persons, the IATF-EID shall be responsible for providing guidance on · cross-border concerns, including, but not limited to, 12 The amount of Three billion five hundred million pesos (P3,500,000,000.00) to be appropriated as follows, One billion five hundred million pesos (Pl,500,000,000.00) to the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) to provide financial assistance to LGUs in their local anti-COVID efforts, and One billion pesos (Pl,000,000,000.00) each to the LBP and the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) to subsidize the payment of interest on new and existing loans secured by LGUs from government financial ·institutions (GFis); (r) Enforcement of measures to protect the people from hoarding, profiteering, injurious speculations, manipulation of prices, product deceptions, and cartels, monopolies or other combinations in restraint of trade, or other pernicious practices affecting the supply, distribution and movement of food, clothing, hygiene and sanitation products, medicine and medical supplies, fuel, fertilizers, chemicals, building materials, implements, machinery equipment and- spare parts required in agriculture, industry and other essential services, and other articles of prime necessity, whether imported or locally produce~ or manufactured; (s) Ensuring that donation, acceptance and distribution of health products intended to address the COVID-19 pandemic are not unnecessarily delayed and that health products for donation duly certified by the regulatory agency or their accredited third party from countries with established regulation shall automatically be cleared: Provided, That this shall not apply to health products which do not require a certification or clearance from the FDA; (t) Provision of personal protective equipment (PPE) including, but not limited to, protective suits, face covers, face shields, and goggles to public and private COVID-19 referral hospitals, both national and local, barangays, and other indigent persons that need protection from the spread of COVID-19 by the national government through the DOH: Provided, That preference and incentives shall be given to medical safety products that are locally manufactured; (u) Procurement of the following as the need arises, in the most judicious, economical and expeditious manner, as· exemptions from the provisions on bidding process required under Republic Act No. 9184 or the "Govermnent Procurement 14 suspension); testing kits, and such other supplies or equipment as may be determined by the DOH and other relevant government agencies: Provided, That the DOH shall prioritize the allocation and distribution of the aforesaid goods, supplies and other resources to the following: (i) Public health facilities in the regions, provinces, or cities, that are designated as COVID-19 referral hospitals, such as, but not limited to, Philippine"' General Hospital (PGH), Lung Center of· the Philippines (LCP), and Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital; (ii) Private hospitals which have existing capacities provide support care and treatment to COVID-19 patients; and (iii) Public and private laboratories that have existing capacities to test suspected COVID-19 patients. (2) Goods and services for social amelioration measures in favor of affected communities; (3) Lease of real property or venue for use to house health workers or serve as quarantine centers, medical relief and aid distribution locations, or temporary medical facilities; (4) Establishment, construction, and operation of temporary medical facilities; (5) Utilities, telecommunications, and other critical services in relation to operation of quarantine centers, medical relief and aid distribution centers and temporary medical facilities; and (6) Ancillary services related to the foregoing: Provided, That to ensme adequate and responsive supply of critical products, the government, as procuring entity shall· give preference and procure products, materials and supplies produced, made or manufactmed in the Philippines. For this purpose, the DTI through Negosyo Centers shall coordinate the availment of relevant credit and training programs Act to promote and facilitate domestic supply: Provided, further, That it shall be subject to competitive procurement procedures: Provided, furthermore, That the Department of 16 lending rates of interest and reserve requirements institutions: Provided, That credit accommodation to the Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (l\l[SMEs) and cooperatives, a~ well as those who are self-employed, shall be imposed a low interest, payable within three (3) years and shall not require any collateral if the loan does not exceed Three million (P3,000,000.00); (y) Provision of loan interest rdte subsidies of learning· tha't have been affected by the decrease in enrollment due to the CQ or to enable these institutions to adequately prepare to implement blended. learning: Provided, That the terms of the loan shall be more reasonable than the prevailing market terms: Provided, further, That the availment of such loan shall be conditioned on the non-implementation of an increase in tuition and other fees for the next school or academic year: Provided, finally, That private schools, colleges and universities receiving retain their personnel complement at the time of receipt of aid, and will not engage in retrenchment of employees for a period of nine (9) months from receipt of grant; ~ (z) Directing the Small Business Corporation (SBCorp) to expand its existing loan programs for MSMEs, cooperatives, hospitals, tourism and OFWs affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and by other socioeconomic reversals, through a combination of increasing available loanable funds, reducing documentary requirements, increasing maximum loan amounts per borrower, reducing interest rates, extending loan terms, utilization of financial technologies to expand reach and increase access and set fast turn-around loan processing time; and allow the use of the loan proceeds for payroll costs, materials and suppliers, mortgage payments, rent, utilities, including fuel and storage, creation of new supportive businesses, re-purposing of existing business capital, any other business debt obligations that were incurred before the covered period or acquisition of new technologies and systems to adjust business processes for resiliency; (aa) Directing the LBP and the DBP to introduce a low interest and/or "flexible term" loan program for operating expenses available to businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, in order to assist and encourage them and their creditors to continue investing in, lending to and operating 18 exemption from import duties, taxes, and other fees and ensuring supply of PPE at competitive prices, DTI shall certify that the equipment and supplies being imported are available or of insufficient quality and preference: Provided, finally, That preference is given to products, materials and supplies produced, made or manufactured in the Philippines; (dd) Ensuring the availability of essential goods, in particular, food and medicine, by adopting measures as may reasonably be necessary to facilitate and/or minimize disruption to the supply chain and/or improve the national end-to-end supply chain, including measures to reduce logistics costs, especially for basic commodities and services to the extent possible. Further, the DTI may suspend export requirement for export enterprises that produce critical goods as referred to in Section 4(u)(l) and require them to supply locally subject to the application of Section 4(cc); (ee) Requiring businesses to prioritize and accept contracts, subject to fair and reasonable terms, for materials and services necessary to promote the herein declared national policy: Provided, That the rates chargeable by accommodation establishments to persons mandated by law or regulations to undergo quarantine may be regulated by the Department of Tourism (DOT); (ff) Provision of extension support, direct cash or loan interest rate subsidy or other forms of assistance to qualified agri-fishery enterprises, agriculture cooperatives, farmers, fisherfolk, and other agricultural workers through the Department of Agriculture (DA); (gg) Directing the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and such other agencies or instrumentalities that may be authorized under this Act to extend the following assistance to critically impacted businesses in the transportation industry, including transport cooperatives: (1) Provide direct cash or loan interest rate subsidy; (2) Provide grants for applicable regulatory fees; (3) Allow substitution of refund option to travel vouchers; 20 The DOTr shall prioritize business entities that shall require assistance for any activity that supports the Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa Program under Executive Order No. 114, s. 2020; (hh) Directing the DOT to assist critically impacted businesses that are tourism enterprises, including tourism- oriented barangay micro business enterprises, cooperatives engaged in tourism-related activities or other members of the informal sector'm the tourism economy in any of programs: (1) Provide loan interest rate subsidy; (2) Tourism Road Infrastructure Program of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH); (3) Cash-for-work programs and the unemploym~nt and involuntary assistance for the displaced workers or employees in the tourism sector; (4) Marketing and product development, promotions and programs, including travel advertising and festival-support strategies; (5) Grants for education, training, and advising of tourism stakeholder for the new normal alternative livelihood programs; (6) Utilization of information technology for the improvement of tourism services, development of a tourist tracking system for emergency response, and establishment of spatial database to improve planning capacity; (7) In partnership with the LGU and DOH and/or private entities, establish COVID-19 testing centers in tourist destinations as identified by the DOT, to stimulate tourism and generate employment; and (8) Any other relevant programs, including infrastructure, product-sourcing, and subsidized domestic package tours necessary to mitigate the economic effects of COVID-19 on the tourism industry. 22 the "National Building Code of the Philippines", and the height clearance permit from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), no national or local permit or clearance shall be required in the construction, installation, repair, operation and maintenance of telecommunications and internet infrastructure by independent tower companies registered with the DICT, or holders of certificates of public convenience and necessity or provisional authority granted by the Nati'6nal Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to public telecommunication period of three (3) years from the effectivity of this Act: Provided, That for homeowners and. other community clearances, the requirements provided under Republic Act No. 11032 or the "Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act", Section lO(k) of Republic Act No. 9904 or the "Magna Carta for Homeowners and Homeowners' Associations", A CAAP height clearance permit shall be required if the telecommunications tower infrastructure: (i) (50) meters in height and in the direct flight three (3)-kilometer radius of an airport; or constructed within the ten (10)-kilometer radius of communication-navigation surveillance facilities located off-airport. When the proposed structure does not fall within any of the foregoing restrictions, the applicant shall only be required to submit to the LGU and the CAAP, a notarized !,', undertaking certified by a geodetic engineer, attesting that the proposed structure will be built outside the (2) Streamlining of regulatory processes and procedures for the development and improvement of digital, internet and satellite technology infrastructure. Notwithstanding Section 4(eee) of this Act, all pending and new applications for the construction of cell sites, cell towers, roll out of fiber, installation of poles, and other transmission or similar telecommunications and internet structure and facilities shall be approved or disapproved within a non-extendible period of seven (7) working days from the date the application was received. An application '11 which is not acted upon within such period shall be deemed approved. i ~ i !' 24 (mm) Authorization of alternative working arrangements for employees and workers in the Executive Branch, and whenever. it becomes necessary, in other independent of government and constitutional bodies, and the private sector; (nn) Conservation and regulation of the use of power, fuel, energy and water, and ensure adequate supply of the same; ·' (oo) Implementation of the proper management and segregation of waste, especially of hazardous materials coming from health facilities, in the communities and households in order to contain the COVID-19 virus and other diseases; (pp) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, :I the discontinuance of appropriated programs, activities or projects (P/A/Ps) of any agency of the Executive Department, including GOCCs, in the fiscal years (FYs) 2019 :;i General Appropriations Act (GAA), which cannot be utilized effectively as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, whether released or unreleased, the allotments for which unobligated, and utilize the savings generated therefrom to augment the allocation for any item needed to address the COVID-19 pandemic consistent with the herein declared national policy. The P/NPs that may be discontinued shall include discretionary foreign travel, representation, and those identified by government agencies prior to the effectivity of this Act: Provided, That such discontinued P/NPs do not support the objectives of economic stimulus and recovery for having low labor intensity or low multiplier i effects: Provided, further, That infrastructure, having the highest multiplier effect can only be discontinued other funds, including unobligated allotments and unreleased appropriations, have been exhausted: Provided, furthermore, That the following items in the budget shall augmentation: (1) Under the DOH - operational budgets of government hospitals, temporary treatment, isolation, quarantine and monitoring facilities, primarily those identified for treatment of COVID-19; prevention and control of other infectious diseases; emergency preparedness and response; and Quick Response Fund (QRF); 26 n ii The DSWD and DOLE shall be allowed, through :.; Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), to transfer funds to the 1; LGUs and allow said LGUs to facilitate the distribution of the Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens (SocPen), AICS and Food and Non-Food Items (FNFI), CAMP, TUPAD, and the AKAP for OFWs; (qq) Any unutilized or unreleased balance in special purpose funds (SPFs) shall be considered to have their purpose abandoned during the state of national emergency as declared by the President. All such unspent, unutilized or unreleased i' money or funds sourced from SPFs shall be utilized and are hereby appropriated for such measures to address the ,.r: COVID-19 situation and accomplish the declared national policy herein; (rr) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, to reprogram, reallocate, and realign from savings on otoor items in the FY 2020 GAA in the Executive Department, as may be necessary and beneficial to fund measures that address and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, including social amelioration for affected eommunities and the recovery of areas, sectors and industries severely affected. All amounts so reprogrammed, reallocated or realigned shall be deemed automatically appropriated for such measures to address the COVID-19 situation within the period specified under Section 18 hereof: Provided, That such reprogram, reallocation and realignment shall be limited to the sources of funding enumerated under Section 11 of this Act; i! (ss) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the President is hereby authorized to allocate investments, including unutilized or unreleased subsidies and transfers, held by any GOCC or any national government agency in order to address the COVID-19 pandemic; (tt) Moving of statutory deadlines and timelines for the filing and submission of any document, the payment of taxes, fees, and other charges required by law, and the grant of any benefit, in order to ease the burden on individuals under CQ; (uu) Directing all banks, quasi-banks, financing companies, lending companies, real estate developers, insurance companies providing life insurance policies, pre-need companies, 28 procedural requirements of the concerned regulatory agencies in the imposition of such installment plan without interests, penalties, and other charges: Provided, further, That institutions under this subsection may offer less onerous payment terms, with the consent of their clients subject to the approval of their respective regulators: Provided, furthermore, That in the case of the electric power sector, the minimum thirty (30)-day-grace period and staggered payment without interests, penalties· and ·6ther charges shall apply to all payments ·due within the period of the CQ in. the entire electric power value chain to include generation companies, transmission utility, and distribution utilities; (ww) Provision of a minimum of thirty (30)-day grace period on residential rents and commercial rents of lessees not permitted to work, and MSMEs and cooperatives ordered to temporarily cease operations, falling due within the period of the CQ, without incurring interests, penalties, fees, mid other charges: Provided, That all amounts due within the period of CQ shall be amortized in equal monthly installments until December 31, 2020 without any interests, penalties and other charges: Provided, further';That no increase in rent shall be imposed during the same period: Provided, furthermore, That the minimum thirty (30)-day grace period shall be reckoned from the date of the lifting of the ECQ or MECQ; (xx) Implementation of an expanded and enhanced 4Ps, responsive to the needs posed by the crisis, and provision of an assistance program, whether in cash or non-cash, whichever is more practicable, where the Secretary of DSWD or the Secretary of DOLE, when relevant, shall transfer cash, cash vouchers, or goods through the LGUs or directly to households who have no incomes or savings to draw from, including households working in the informal economy and those who are not currently recipients of the current 4Ps, of an amount adequate to restore capacity to purchase basic food and other essential items after the duration of the quarantine. To carry out this subsection, the Secretary of DSWD and the Secretary of DOLE may approve the temporary emergency standards of eligibility and level of benefits; (yy) Lifting of the thirty percent (30%) cap on the amount appropriated for the QRF, as provided for in Republic Act No. 10121 or the "Philippine Disaster Risk 30 imposed on banks and financial institutions on their interest income; (ddd) Encouraging BSP and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to adopt measures, including the relaxation of regulatory and statutory restrictions and requirements for a period of not more than one (1) year from their date of effectivity to encourage the banking industry and other financial institutions to extend -loans and other forms of financial accommodation to help business recover from the economic effects of the COVID-19 crisis and to enable the banking industry to manage appropriately its risks and potential losses. The BSP and the SEC are likewise hereby authorized to grant reporting relief to its supervised entities by allowing staggered booking of allowance for credit losses for all types of credit accommodations extended to individuals and business entities affected by COVID-19; (eee) Issuance of a directive that all government and LG Us shall act on all pending and new applications for permit, license, certificate, clearance, authorization and resolutions within a non-extendable period of seven (7) working days, in order to support business continuity and encourage resumption of all economic activities: Provided, That the applicant shall be allowed to undertake its compliance to any additional requirement that may be imposed by the government agency or LGU, and such will not delay the approval of the application: Provided, further, That this shall not apply to regulatory processes involving administrative investigations or enforcement activities by government regulators exercising quasi-judicial functions: Provided, That the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) shall promote business continuity and capacity building, as such, all mergers and acquisitions with transaction values below Fifty billion pesos (P50,000,000,000.00) shall be exempt from compulsory notification under Section 17 of Republic Act No. 10667 or the "Philippine Competition Act" if entered into within a period of two (2) years from the effectivity of this Act, and further, shall be exempt from the PCC's power to review mergers and acquisitions motu proprio provided in SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known and Act". - Presidential declaring a state Philippines due to Republic Act One Act" was enacted the entire country 3 life-threatening concerns by ensuring budgetary support for health care; persist. (e) Mitigate the economic cost and losses stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic; spread (f) Restore public trust and confidence on social and economic institutions; (g) Accelerate the recovery and bolster the resilience of the Philippine economy through measures grounded on economic inclusivity, and collective growth through fiscal sustainability; i (h) Accommodate alternative modes of transportation, including a network of bicycle lanes in all roads in every city, municipality, and province for the people who may opt to use the bicycle as an alternative mode of transportation to address health, environment, and traffic concerns; to (i) Promote and protect the collective interests of all Filipinos in these challenging times; (j) Optimize the use of science, technology, and innovation in government's response measures; (k) Enhance public trust in science and technology and incorporate the use of scientific research and technological expertise in the policy-making process; and (1) Enhance the financial stability of the country to support government programs in combatting the COVID-19 pandemic. Filipinos by SEC. 4. COVID-19 Response and Recovery Interventions. - Pursuant to Article VI, Section 23(2) of the Constitution, the President is hereby authorized to exercise powers that are necessary and proper to undertake and implement the following COVID-19 response and recovery interventio.ns: (a) Following the World Health Organization (\VHO) or the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines and best practices, adoption and implementation of measures to prevent or suppress further transmission and ,,,~~~-;l~i~~ ,,k, •,' 5 probable case, and the compulsory and immediate isolation, and treatment of confirmed, suspected and probable COVID-19 patients: Provided, That the cost of testing and treatment for COVID-19 patients shall be covered under the National Health Insurance Program of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth). In addition to testing, isolation and treatment of these patients, the contacts of these patients shall also be immediately and properly traced through the use of efficient technology for data collection and analysis, and by engaging contact tracers that may include, but not limited to, displaced workers both in the formal and informal sectors, from existing networks of barangay health workers, parent-leaders from the Pantawid Pamilyang Filipino Program (4Ps), and members of duly accredited Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) by national government agencies, subject to the rules and regulations to be issued by the DILG which shall include provisions on recruitment, training, and compensation, among others, of contact tracers; isolated (c) Adoption of a protocol on the conduct of viral testing ,i;.. :. and other COVID-19 testing kits recommended by HTAC. For this purpose, the IATF-EID, in full cooperation with the DOH, the DILG, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and the Bureau of Immigration (BI), shall ensure the following: (1) Adequate number of COVID-19 testing centers that provide available, affordable and accessible testing to the public, subject to reimbursement by Phi!Health under existing guidelines: Provided, That people in geographically isolated or highly populated and depressed areas shall be provided the same level of access to COVID-19 testing; (2) Hiring of skilled medical technologists, molecular biologists, epidemiologists, and other skilled laboratory technicians to conduct COVID-19 testing to achieve an ideal personnel-to-laboratory ratio taking into consideration DOH targets. To address the COVID-19 pandemic and in preparation for future public health emergencies, biomedical research, training, and programs for skilled medical technologists, molecular biologists, epidemiologists, and other skilled laboratory technicians shall be implemented utilizing existing public and private molecular laboratory infrastructure; and 7 further, That the subsidy received from the current Conditional Cash Transfer Program and rice subsidy shall be taken into consideration in the computation of the emergency subsidy, as provided for in this Act: Provided, furthermore, That the vetting and validation of beneficiaries of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP), and the related liquidation report thereto shall be simplified to expedite the distribution of the subsidy: Provided, finally, That a definite and actual list of beneficiaries of the SAP shall be submitted to Congress; (2) Five thousand pesos (P5,000.00) to Eight thousand pesos (PS,000.00) unemployment or involuntary separation assistance for displaced workers or employees due to COVID-19 including probationary, project, seasonal, contractual and casual employees in private health institutions, culture and arts, creative industries, including, but not limited to, film and audiovisual workers, broadcast, construction, public transportation, trade and industries, cooperatives, and other sectors of the economy, as may be identified by the DOLE, freelancers, the self-employed and repatriated OFWs, including OFWs whose deployment were suspended due to a government-imposed deployment ban: Provided, That any assistance given to OFWs shall be separate and distinct from the benefits or assistance, if any, they receive as members of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA): Provided, further, That any subsidy previously received under Republic Act No. 11469 does not preclude the displaced worker or employee, the freelancers, self-employed, and repatriated OFWs from receiving the unemployment or involuntary separation assistance provided herein: Provided, further, That members of the Social Security System (SSS) who have received the unemployment benefit under Section 14-B (Unemployment Insurance or Involuntary Separation Benefits) of Republic Act No. 11199 or the "Social Security Act of 2018", during the COVID-19 pandemic shall no longer be eligible to avail of the benefits under this subsection: Provided, finally, That the SSS shall take proactive steps to ensure all qualified members be given unemployment benefits under Republic Act No. 11199; and (3) Emergency subsidy to low income households who are qualified but were not granted such subsidy as mandated under Section 4(c) of Republic Act No. 11469. 9 (2) In case of sickness, for a severe or critical case, One hundred thousand pesos (Pl00,000.00) shall be provided to the health worker; and and (3) In case of sickness, for a mild or moderate case, Fifteen thousand pesos (Pl5,000.00) shall be provided to the health worker: ' Provided, That this shall have retroactive application from February l, 2020: Provided, further, That the compensation provided herein shall be exempt from the applicable taxes under the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended: Provided, finally, That the compensation provided herein shall be given to the beneficiaries not later than three (3) months after the date of confinement or death. This subsection shall survive the expiration of this Act for as long as a health worker contracts mild or severe COVID-19 infection while in the line of duty or dies while fighting during the state of national emergency as declared by the President; under this (1) Provision of life insurance, accommodation, transportation, and meals to all public and private health workers during the state of national emergency as declared by the President, regardless of the community quarantine (CQ) status; (m) Provision of financial relief to Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries during the state of national emergency as declared by the President, the payment of interests, penalties, and surcharges of loans used for land acquisition to any and all government agencies and government-owned or -controlled corporations (GOCCs) including Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) shall be condoned, and the remaining original principal value be restructured without interest thereon: Provided, That all previous payment for interest be credited to principal payment instead: Provided, further, That the condonation of interests, penalties and surcharges from these loans shall be I in conformity with the applicable general banking laws and regulations of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP); of the · II Stranded Individuals (LSis), OFWs, domestic travellers and residents, while the LGUs shall determine the policies and regulations within their respective jurisdictions; (q) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the local chief executives of all LGUs are hereby authorized to realign their respective local funds including, but not limited to, their development fund, Gender and Development Fund, Sangguniang Kabataan Fund, Special Education Fund (SEF), and other local funds, including unutilized or unreleased subsidies' and transfers in order to address the COVID-19 pandemic. The punong barangays are likewise authorized to make realignments of all allotments and subsidies in response to the pandemic. the purpose The LGUs may utilize by up to ten percent (10%) of their current .budget to cover expenditures arising from their COVID-19 responses: Provided, That the seventy percent (70%) limit on "pre-disaster" initiatives is hereby waived. 2020, The LGUs may also increase their respective personnel services cap by up to ten percent (10%) for first (l") to third (3'•) class municipalities and up to five percent (5%) for the fourth (4'') to sixth (6'h) class municipalities, and cities, and provinces: Provided, That the same shall be used for the hiring of additional health workers, the generation of temporary jobs for marginalized and hard-hit sectors as well as for other emergency employment programs undertaken by the LGU in response to the COVID-19 pandemic: Provided, further, That the allowable debt service ceiling of LGUs is increased to thirty percent (30%) of their annual regular income including their share in the national taxes: Provided, finally, That the LGUs shall be exempt from the loan ceiling cap imposed by the Department of Finance (DOF). The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) shall automatically and completely release any adjusted or remaining shares of LGUs in national wealth and National Tax Allotment (NTA) pursuant to Section 286 of Republic Act No. 7160 or the "Local Government Code of 1991''. . 'i Locally ' 13 Reform Act" and other relevant laws: .Provided, That the following information and documents related to the procurement shall be published in the Government Procurement Policy Board (GPPB) online portal, the website of the procuring entity concerned, if available, and at any conspicuous place reserved for this purpose in the premises of the procuring entity within seven (7) working days from the date of acceptance of the award: ' (i) i;:roject name; (ii) Approved budget for contract; (iii) Contract period; (iv) Name of winning supplier, distributor, manufacturer, contractor or consultant; (v) Amount of contract as awarded; (vi) Notice of award; (vii) Date of award and acceptance; (viii) Contract or purchase order; and (ix) A certification stating that the procuring entity exerted all efforts to secure the most advantageous price to the government based on existing price data of the agency, the DTI or other relevant agencies or preliminary market scanning done by the agency showing prevailing market prices and practice. masks, shoe (1) Goods, which may include PPE such as gloves, gowns, masks, goggles, and face shields; surgical equipment and supplies; laboratory equipment and its reagents; medical equipment and devices; support and maintenance for laboratory and medical equipment, surgical equipment and supplies; medical supplies, tools, and consumables such as alcohol, sanitizers, tissue, thermometers, hand soap, detergent, sodium hypochlorite, cleaning materials, povidone iodine, common medicines (e.g., paracetamol tablet and suspension, mefenamic acid, vitamins tablet and suspension, hyoscine tablet and suspension, oral rehydration solution, and cetirizine tablet and 15 Budget and Management-Procurement Service (DBM-PS) or the concerned procming entity shall make the award to the lowest domestic manufacturer-bidder notwithstanding that its bid is fifteen percent (15%) in excess of the lowest foreign bid: Provided, furthermore, That it secures from the DTI a certification that the articles forming part of its bid are substantially composed of articles, materials, or supplies grown, produced, or manufactured in the Philippines: Provided, finally, That other qualification and documentary requirements for local manufacturers and suppliers shall be prioritized and expedited'. by the DOH, FDA and other concerned departments and agencies; to (v) Partnering with the Philippine Red Cross, as the primary humanitarian agency .that is auxiliary to the government in giving aid to the people, subject to reimbursement, in· the distribution of goods and services incidental in the fight against COVID-19; (w) Engaging temporary Human Resources for Health (HRH) such as medical and allied medical staff to complement or supplement the current health workforce or to man the temporary medical facilities to be established in accordance with Section 4(u)(4) of this Act: Provided, That HRH to be hired on temporary basis shall receive the appropriate compensation and allowances: Provided, further, That all HRH serving in the front line during the state of emergency due to COVID-19, shall receive an actual hazard duty pay from the national government: Provided, furthermore, That the actual hazard duty pay shall be in addition to the hazard pay granted under Republic Act No. 7305 and the COVID-19 special risk allowance granted under this Act: Provided, furthermore, That the active hazard duty pay received by all HRH serving in the front line during the state of national emergency as declared by the President shall be exempt from income tax: Provided, finally, That DOH, the DOLE and their attached agencies shall closely coordinate to ensure that returning OFW-health workers, or those whose deployments were suspended due to COVID-19, shall be properly referred to the ongoing hiring of temporary HRH by the DOH; under this (x) Ensuring the availability of credit to the productive sectors of the economy especially in the countryside through measures such as, but not limited to, lowering the effective of lending ! 'I j i:i- their businesses: Provided, That priority shall be given to 17 agri-fishery and non-essential businesses that are micro, small i and medium enterprises, including, but not limited to, start- ll ups and cooperatives; pesos ! (bb) Directing the Philippine Guarantee Corporation (Phi!Guarantee) to issue an expanded government guarantee ! program for non-essential businesses, to ease current rules and for institutions Ii regulations and give preference to critically impacted businesses, MSMEs, cooperatives and activities that support DOH initiatives towards ensuring an adequate and responsive I supply of health care services, and to guarantee the loan portfolio of partner financial institutions of eligible MSME and I cooperative loans; (cc) Liberalization of the grant of incentives for the manufacture or importation of critical or needed equipment or gral'lts will I supplies or essential goods for the carrying-out of the policy declared -herein, including health care equipment and supplies: Provided, That the exemption from import duties, taxes, and 'l other fees for manufacture or importation of critical equipment or essential goods shall be determined by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), respectively: Provided, further, That limitations a.nd restrictions to the sale, distribution, and trade of the foregoing goods, equipment or supplies may be imposed to p~event shortage of supply and to ensure that the prices thereof remai..'l reasonable, giving priority and preference to the needs and safety of health workers and frontliners, violations of which shall be punishable under Section 16 of Republic Act No. 7581 or the "Price Act", as amended. For this purpose, critical products, equipment or supplies or essential goods shall include the following: (1) goods referred to in Section 4(u)(l) hereof related to the containment or mitigation of COVID-19; (2) equipment for waste management, including, but not limited to, waste segregation, storage, collection, sorting, treatment and disposal services: Provided, furthermore, That these said equipment and technologies and services are approved by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), DOH or other concerned regulatory agencies; (3) inputs, raw materials and equipment necessary for the manufacture or production of essential goods referred to in Section 4(u)(l) hereof related to the containment or mitigation of COVID-19: Provided, furthermore, That for the purpose of qualifying for 19 (4) Provide grants for fuel subsid;y andlor digital fare vouchers, as may be necessary; and not locally (5) Provide grants for training, equipment, facilities, test kits and necessary personnel, on coping with increased health risks arising from infectious diseases. Within fifteen (15) days from the effectivity of this Act, the DOTr or any of its instrumentalities shall prescribe the eligibility requirements and other terms and conditions for any of the abovementioned assistance, subject to the guidelines issued under this subsection. maxim um For purposes of item (1) herein, the DOTr or any of its instrumentalities shall utilize the loan and/or loan guarantee programs and other loan related measures provided under this Act, subject to· the rules, regulations and guidelines issued under the corresponding intervention, including proper credit assessment of the borrower by the LBP and DBP which will administer the credit facilities or loan guarantees under this Act: Provided, That a reasonable and proper business plan shall be submitted by the borrower: Provided, further, That loan interventions implemented under this subsection shall be exclusively for critically impacted businesses and transport cooperatives in the transportation industry only. For purposes of item (2) herein, the grants may include reductions in (i) rates through the removal of local taxes as may be applicable, and (ii) fees and charges imposed by any regulatory agency and LGU. Such grants shall be payable, respectively, to the BIR, the LGUs and relevant regulatory agencies: Provided, That the grant shall be chargeable against the fund created for the purpose of implementing this subsection: Provided, further, That any critically impacted business may avail of the grant for a period of not more than six (6) months. Availment of any economic relief such as wage subsidy, loan, and loan guarantees and other relief under the other provisions of this Act, does not disqualify such critically impacted businesses belonging to the ·transportation industry including transport cooperatives from availing the economic relief provided under this subsection. 21 For purposes of item (1) herein, the SBCorp under its COVID-19 Assistance to Restart Enterprises (CARES) Program shall administer the loans for DOT but subject to guidelines from the DOT that shall be prepared for these purposes: Provided, That the loan interventions implemented under this section shall be exclusively for accredited tourism enterprises, including such small-scale tourism-oriented enterprises accredited by LGUs, under Republic Act No. 9178 or the "Barangay Micro Business Enterprises Act of 2002". the following Av~ilment of grants, loans or loan guarantees through other provisions of this Act is not a· disqualification for any tourism enterprise to avail of any economic relief measures in this section. The DOT shall prioritize establishments that (1) support the Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa Program, and (2) comply with the guidelines of the DOH towards ensuring an adequate and responsive supply of health care services; (ii) Undertaking measures in partnership with appropriate internet and communication service providers in the acceleration of the deployment of critical Information and Communications Technology (ICT) infrastructure particularly additional cell towers, equipment, software, and wireless technologies throughout the country to address the need for digital connectivity, internet speed and stability, and Cybersecurity in E-Commerce, E-Government, online learning, and telecommuting in order to sufficiently meet the significant additional shift of the general public to online services and platforms and to home and mobile communication units for doing work from home, for completing commercial and other transactions, for convening meetings and conducting conferences and seminars/webinars, and for obtaining educational instruction during the COVID-19 pandemic through the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT). Such measures shall include the following: (1) Temporary suspension of requirements to secure permits and clearances for the construction of telecommunications and internet infrastructure. Except for the bcilding permit issued by the Office of the Building Official pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 1096 or 23 as amended, Provided, That the advantages of temporary suspension of requirements and streamlining of regulatory processes shall also apply to other value-added service providers and internet service providers in the establishment and operation of necessary equipment and facilities, and use of necessary technologies in order to expand the- coverage of broadband internet networks and provide connectivity to unserved and underserved comm unities. ' entities, for a I No court, except the Supreme Court, shall issue any temporary restraining order, preliminary injunction or preliminary mandatory injunction against the construction of Section 15 of I I telecommunications infrastructure, including cell sites and cell towers; in relation to (jj) Directing the DTI, in coordination with other shall apply. implementing,agencies, to accelerate and undertake massive • I promotion of online commerce and offer technical and financial assistance through GFis to those engaged in E-Commerce, such is in excess of fifty as those involved in internet retail, digital financial services, plan within a (ii) shall be J digital media, and ride-hailing. These include programs that will expedite the digitalization of MSMEs and cooperatives through training subsidies for onboarding or starter kits, wage support for new online enterprises, upskilling/reskilling and other activities as may be defined by the DTI, Cooperative I Development Authority (CDA), DICT, Technical Education and I Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and Commission on I Higher Education (CHED); CAAP critical areas. (kk) Regulation and limitation of the operation of all sectors of transportation through land, sea or air, whether private or public, and provide the necessary infrastructure and support, including emergency pathways, LGU bicycle sharing scheme with proper safety equipment and pop-up bike lanes, for commuters, particularly health workers and other frontliners; ground terminals (11) Regulation of traffic on all roads, streets, and bridges, and access thereto; prohibit putting up of encroachments or obstacles; authorize the removal of encroachments and illegal constructions in public places; and perform all other related acts; 25 (2) Under the University of the Philippines - the operational budget of the PGH; branches (3) The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund or Calamity Fund; distribution and (4) Programs of the DOLE, such as, but not limited to: COVID-19 Adjustment Measures Program (CAMP), Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD), and the DOLE Abot-Kamay Ang Pagtulong (AKAP) for OFWs: Provided, That in giving assistance under these programs, priority shall be given to those workers who have not been granted assistance under any of the programs of the government for workers; directing (5) Under the DTI - Livelihood Seeding Program and Negosyo Serbisyo sa Barangay; a1td 2020 (6) Under the DA - Rice Farmers Financial Assistance Program; remain .t:.-.'1 I (7) Under the Department of Education (DepEd) - i School-Based Feeding Program, digital education, digital infrastructure, support to alternative learning modalities, and printing and delivery of self-learning modules; mass events (8) Under various DSWD programs such as, but not limited to, Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS), distribution of food and non-food items, livelihood assistance grants, and supplemental feeding program for daycare children; when all (9) Under the DPWH - Local Infrastructure Programs (LIPs); and be prioritized for (10) Under Allocations to LGUs. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Act, the discontinued P/NP may be revived at any time after the COVID-19 pandemic has ceased, and notwithstanding Section 67 of Republic Act No. 11465 or the "General Appropriations Act of 2020", may be revived and proposed for funding within the next two (2) fiscal years. 27 entities providing in-house financing for goods and properties purchased, asset and liabilities management companies and other financial institutions, public and private, including the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), the SSS and Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG Fund), to implement a one-time sixty (60)-day grace period to be granted for the payment of all existing, current and outstanding loans falling due, or any part thereof, on or before December 31, 2020, inC!uding, but not limited to, salary, personal, housing, commercial, and motor vehicle loans, amortizations, financial ( lease payments and premium payments, as well as credit card payments, without incurring interest on interests, penalties, fees, or other charges and thereby extending the maturity of I the said loans: Provided, That all loans may be settled on staggered basis without interest, on interests, penalties and other charges until December 31, 2020 or as may be agreed upon by the parties: Provided, further, That nothing shall stop the parties from mutually agreeing for a grace period longer than sixty (60) days: Provided, furthermore, That the banks and other non-bank financial institutions (NBFis) that agree to further loan term extensions or restructuring pursuant to this subsection shall be entitled to regulatory relief, as may be determined by the BSP, which may include, but is not limited to, (i) staggered booking of allowances for credit losses, (ii) exemption from loan-loss provisioning, (iii) exemption from the limits on real estate loans, when applicable, (iv) exemption from related party transaction restrictions, and (v) non-inclusion in the bank's or NBFI's reporting on non- performing loans: Provided, finally, That the loan term extensions or restructuring pursuant to this subsection shall be exempt from documentary stamp taxes. cash, funds, It is understood that this provision shall not apply to I, interbank loan and bank borrowings; ' (vv) Directing all institutions providing electric, water, telecommunications, and other similar utilities to implement a minim um of thirty (30)-day grace period for the payment of utilities falling due within the period of ECQ or Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ)'without incurring interests, penalties, and other charges: Provided, That after the grace period, unpaid residential, MSME and cooperatives utility bills may be settled on a staggered basis payable in not less than three (3) monthly installments, subject to the 29 Management Act of 2010", during the state of national emergency as declared by the President; covered (zz) Provision of assistance to the agriculture industry, including agriculture cooperatives by creating the "Plant, Plant, Plant" Program which shall be composed of the following: (1) Ahon Lahat, Pagkaing Sapat (ALPAS) kontra sa COVID-19; (2) food markets - food logistics and other interventions; (3) Urban agriculture program of the DA; and (4) Casl].-for-work program in agriculture; the (aaa) Implementation of a program which would: (1) fast track the approval of all pending and new applications for housing loans, permits and licenses by simplifying the requirements and procedure; and (2) accommodate and prioritize critically impacted home buyers who may want to shift from private bank financing to Pag-IBIG home financing with simplified requirements through the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) program and its key shelter agencies; (bbb) Notwithstanding Section 89 of Republic Act No. 7653 or "The New Central Bank Act", as amended, the BSP is hereby authorized to make additional direct provisional advances with or without interest to the national government to finance expenditures authorized by law that will address and respond to the COVID-19 situation: Provided, That such additional direct provisional advances shall not, in their aggregate, exceed ten percent (10%) of the average income of the national government for FYs 2017 to 2019: Provided, further, That said additional direct provisional advances shall be availed of within two (2) years from the effectivity of this Act: Provided, furthermore, That the additional direct provisional advances shall be repaid before the end of one (1) \, year following the date that the national government received such additional direct provisional advances pursuant to this Act, extendible for another year as the Monetary Board may allow; (ccc) Encouraging the BSP to allow private banks and financial institutions to: (1) reallocate any unutilized loanable funds to housing loans; and (2) to grant subsidy to the home loan borrowers at the rate equivalent to the gross receipt tax Reduction and 31 (fff) Production of a masterlist in electronic and machine-readable data format of all displaced and critically impacted transport workers under the road, rail, air, and maritime sectors to effectively implement the distribution of wage subsidies, cash-for-work program, or service contracting of public utility vehicles as provided for in Sections 4 and 10 of this Act, through the DOTr: Provided, That the DOTr is directed to coordinate the accelerated distribution of remaining subsidy' under the SAP of Republic Act No. 11469 to driver-beneficiaries: Provided, further, That the DOTr is also directed to coordinate with transport service providers, transport cooperatives and LG Us· to negotiate partially subsidized service contracting of public utility vehicles as a form of temporary livelihood to workers displaced by restrictions and reduced capacity of public transportation, and other forms of arrangement to ensure that livelihood in the transport sector is preserved: Provided, finally, That there shall be no phase-out, at the national and local level, of any modality of public utility vehicle as the industry transitions to a new normal; agencies (ggg) Provision of access to free, healthy meals to undernourished children as mandated by Republic Act No. 11037 or the ''Masustansyang Pagkain para sa Batang Pilipino Act" regardless of modality of learning through the DepEd; (hhh) Provision of regulatory relief to the critically impacted creative sector by tasking the DTI and the DILG to review the imposition of the amusement tax. The President shall have the power to suspend, reduce or waive the imposition of the fees and charges as recommended by the DTI and DILG for a period of six (6) months; finally, (iii) Provision of loan assistance, subsidies, discounts or grants to schools, universities, colleges, technical vocational institutions, teachers, faculties, and students for the purchase of distance learning tools, such as computers, laptops, tablets and other ICT devices and equipment necessary to conduct and access classes and learning materials under alternative delivery modes of teaching and learning in the new normal through the DepEd, the CHED and the TESDA, in partnership with GFis: Provided, That the loan shall have terms that are more

Section 12 — of Repubhc Act No. 10667 for a period of one (1) reasonable than those prevailing in the market: Provided,

Section 12 of Repubhc Act No. 10667 for a period of one (1) reasonable than those prevailing in the market: Provided, year from the effectivity of this Act. further, That private schools, colleges and universities receiving grants will retain their personnel complement at the time of 32 33 receipt of aid, and will not engage in retrenchment of provision shall be deemed amended during this one (1)-year employees for a period of nine (9) months from receipt of grant; period of fast-track development; GJi) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 272 of (nnn) In order to address delays in the implementation Republic Act No. 7160 or the "Local Government Code of 1991", and immediately stimulate economic activity and generate a portion of the SEF may be used for the support of employment during the state of national emergency as alternative learning modalities, digital education, digital declared by the President, notwithstanding any law to the infrastructure, and continuity plans, such as the purchase of contrary, permits, licenses, certificates, clearances, consents, equipment, materials, and· supplies related thereto, printing authorizations or resolutions by national government agencies, and delivery of self-learning modules, provision of safe schools except those relating to taxes, duties, border control and infrastructure, equipment and facilities such as handwashing enviro~ental laws and regulations, may be waived for private stations, soap, alcohol, sanitizers, .and other disinfecting projects that are nationally significant or those with high solutions, as well as medical health supplies deemed economic returns or high employment potential as may be appropriate by public health officials such as thermometers, determined by a committee to be chaired by the Secretary of face masks, and face shields, subject to existing accounting DOF, with the Secretary of DTI •and Secretary of DENR as and auditing rules; members and the secretariat of the committee shall be the DOF: Provided; That the committee shall identify the projects (kkk) Extension of the term of standby loans entered into that shall be granted regulatory relief and the specific permits, by LGUs; licenses, certificates, clearances, consents, authorizations or resolutions that shall be waived: Provided, further, That (lll) Utilization of unexpended cash balances of public entities or projects granted such regulatory relief and waivers funds held in trust by Ll:l:Us, for purposes that have been should submit the requirements and pay the fees to the completed or abandoned and allow the transfer of these funds concerned agencies prior to commencement of any activity: to the general fund of the LG Us concerned to be made Provided, furthermore, That this authority shall be valid available for appropriation to support local government during the state of national emergency as declared by the programs and projects in response to the COVID-19 pandemic; President and the economic rehabilitation period or until the last day of June 2022, whichever is later: Provided, finally, (mmm) Directing the DPWH and other government That no court, except the Supreme Court, shall issue any agencies to expedite the implementation of infrastructure temporary restraining order, preliminary injunction or programs and projects to generate local employment and preliminary mandatory injunction against the committee and stimulate the local economy: Provided, That infrastructure the completion or operation of the project granted regulatory flagship projects identified by the National Economic and relief; Development Authority (NEDA) shall be fast-tracked to pump prime the economy and help promote national economic (ooo) Allowing national and local government agencies to recovery: Provided, further, That all permits and licenses directly purchase agricultural and fishery products from including local government permits, licenses, clearances and farmers and fisherfolk and agricultm-e cooperatives as a form registration requirement for infrastructure flagship projects of direct assistance even beyond the lapse of Republic Act No. shall be deemed waived for a period of one (1) year from the 11469 in accordance with Republic Act No. 11321, or the effectivity of this Act: Provided, furthermore, That permit "Sagip Saka Act"; requirements relating to environmental laws, health and occupational safety shall continue to be applicable and subject (ppp) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the to a processing time of seven (7) working days: Provided, President is hereby authorized to realign and reprogram funds finally, That all laws requiring the permits waived under this from P/A/Ps which cannot be utilized effectively as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, whether released or unreleased, the 34 35 allotments for which remain unobligated and utilize the and DILG, to immediately create and adopt a national on!ine savings generated therefrom to fund the. following priority electronic application system accessible to everyone in each programs: LGU to provide contact tracing capacity, scheduled transport capability, and information necessary to enable the government (1) Purchase of PPE for health workers and other to do effective contact tracing of all individuals in each locality; frontliners; thereafter, mandating the DTI to require adoption of the nationwide online electronic application at all private (2) Establishment of isolation and treatment facilities; establishments to monitor the movement of individuals and to . ·' serve as' a means of enabling contact tracing for suspected (3) Consfruction of field hospitals; COVID- ~9 positive; (4) Purchase of vaccine and/or cure for COVID-19 once (sss) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, directing available; · the discontinuance of unutilized automatic appropriations for debt service and available appropriations for redemption of (5) Hiring and provision of benefits for health workers maturing govermnent securities and use the savings generated and providing for their allowances; therefrom to augment the allocation for any item necessary for the purposes ;identified in this Act. All amounts so (6) Testing for COVID-19; and reprogrammed, reallocated, or <realigned shall be deemed '· automatically appropriated for the said purposes: Provided, (7) Subsidy for COVID-19 positive patients admitted to That for interest payment, the savings will be generated from isolation centers: the unused appropriations after actual payment of interest per monthly interest payment submitted by the BTr to the DBM: Provided, That appropriations for infrastructure projects Provided, further, That for principal repayment, the savings shall not be subject of reprogramming and realignment; will be generated from the funds freed up as a result of a debt exchange by the BTr; (qqq) Mandating the DOH to issue procedures and guidelines on the establishment of private isolation and (ttt) Any unutilized or unreleased balance in the quarantine facilities created for the employees of private Municipal Development Fund created under Presidential Decree enterprises who are infected with COVID-19 that comply with No. 1914 including investments and undrawn portions of all DOH and WHO public health and safety standards: Provided, loans shall be considered to have their purpose abandoned. All That the DILG shall ensure that LGUs have supervision and such unspent, unutilized, unreleased, or undrawn money or authority over issuance of permits for the establishment of funds shall be utilized and are hereby automatically privately-run isolation and quarantine facilities: Provided, appropriated for LGU loans and borrowings from the GFis, further, That the LGUs, through DILG, be mandated to including the provision of loan interest rate subsidy until 2022, fast-track the processing of the issuance of permits for the and such measures to address the COVID-19 situation and isolation and quarantine facilities through strict compliance accomplish the declared national policy herein: Provided, That with Republic Act No. 9485 or the "Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007", all investments, loans, credits, grants, or other credit as amended; accommodations existing at the time of effectivity of this Act shall be assigned to the GFis which shall henceforth have all (rrr) Subject to the provisions of Republic Act No. 10173 the rights and obligations of the fund under the contracts: or the "Data Privacy Act of 2012" and Republic Act No. 11332 Provided, further, That the assigned funds shall be accessed or the ''Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health and utilized exclusively by the LGUs: Provided, furthermore, Events of Public Health Concern Act", mandating the DOH, That all approved loans and undisbursed balances for in consultation with the National Privacy Commission, DICT, 36 37 committed LGU loans and borrowings will continue to be (2) During the surge of COVID-19 -cases, at least twenty disbursed and will be administered by the GFis: Provided, percent (20%) of all current authorized bed capacity of private ,finally, .That the Ten billion peso (Pl0,000,000,000.00) proceeds hospitals or the number of beds corresponding to the need of the Municipal Development Fund Office (MDFO) investments during the peak day of critical care capacity based on updated in government securities are hereby automatically appropriated projections from a DOH-recognized epidemiologic projection for such measures to address the COVID-19 situation and model for COVID-19 shall be dedicated to accommodate and accomplish the declared national policy herein; service COVID-19 patients: (uuu) Directing the appropriate GFis to prioritize in their Pro'vided, That the allocation of dedicated COVID-19 beds lending and ci'edit line operations, hospitals and health care among the ICU, isolation, and ward beds shall consider the institutions with cashflow or liquidity issues during the state case distribution, profile and service capability of the health of national emergency as declared by th~ President: Provided, facility: Provided, further, That the assignment of dedicated That the GFis shall adopt necessary mechanisms allowing COVID-19 beds within the network shall be equivalent to the hospitals and health care institutions to borrow against arrears corresponding percentages as provided herein: Provided, due them from the PhilHealth: Provided, ,further, That as part furthermore, That there is a formalized agreement among the of eligibility requirements, the availing hospitals and health health facilities in the network, such that for a network care institutions shall be duly accredited by PhilHealth; composed of both· private and government hospitals, the r. dedicated COVID-19 beds shall be equivalent to at least thirty (vvv) Directing the P.hi!Health to immediately release percent-(30%); and/or reimburse the funds due to the district, provincial, and city hospitals; (yyy) Construction of temporary medical isolation and quarantine facilities, field hospitals, and dormitories and (www) Provision of regulatory relief during the effectivity expansion of capacities of public hospitals nationwide; of this Act for business entities by directing the SEC and other regulatory agencies to desist from imposing fines and other (zzz) Exemption of personal computers, laptops, tablets, monetary penalties for non-filing, late filing, failure to comply or similar equipment appropriate for use in schools, donated with compulsory notification and other reportorial requirements for distribution to public schools regardless of level, including relating to business activities and transactions that promote SUCs and vocational institutions under TESDA, from import continuity and capacity-building in all sectors of the economy duties and taxes, including donor's tax; during the CQ; (aaaa) Realignment of the unused balance of the DepEd's (xxx) Enforcement of bed capacity allocation of 2020 "New School Personnel Positions" and "Basic Education government and private hospitals dedicated for COVID-19 Facilities" appropriations to the Maintenance and Other response, as follows: Operating Expenses (MOOE) for "Operations of Schools - Elementary, Junior and Senior High School" under its (1) During the surge of COVID-19 cases, at least thirty "Support to Schools and Learners Program" for the percent (30%) of all current e.uthorized bed capacity of hiring of teacher-assistants, and for the production or government hospitals or the number of beds corresponding to reproduction of modular learning materials for K-12; the need during the peak day of critical care capacity based on updated projections from a DOH-recognized epidemiologic (bbbb) Notwithstanding the provision of existing laws to projection model for COVID-19 shall be dedicated to the contrary, the net operating loss of the business or accommodate and service COVID-19 patients; and enterprise for taxable years 2020 and 2021 shall be carried over as a deduction from gross income for the next five (5) ''· ; 38 39 consecutive taxable years immediately following the year of shall be penalized with imprisonment of six (6) months and such loss: Provided, That this subsection shall remain in a fine of One hundred thousand pesos (Pl00,000.00). effect even after the expiration of this Act; and SEC. 9. Authority to Direct the Operation of Private (cccc) Utilization of funds as provided in Section 10 of Establishments During the Effectivity of this Act. - Consistent this Act. with Article XII, Section 17 of the Constitution, when the -.\ public interest so requires, the President, during the effectivity SEC. 5. Exemption from Tax of Retirement Benefits. - of this Act, may direct the operation of any privately-owned Retirement benefits received· by officials and employees of hospitals' and medical and health facilities including passenger private firms;· whether individual or corporate, from June 5, vessels and other establishments, to house health workers, 2020 until December 31, 2020 shall be excluded from gross serve as' quarantine areas, quarantine centers, medical relief income and shall be exempt from taxation: Provided, That any and aid distribution locations, or other temporary medical re-employment of such official or employee in the same firm, facilities; and public transportation to ferry health, within the succeeding twelve (12)-month period, shall be emergency, and frontline personnel and other persons: considered as proof of non-retirement and shall subject the Provided, That the management and operation of the foregoing benefits received to appropriate taxes. In addition to the enterprises shall be retained by the owners of the enterprise, payment of appropriate taxes, any person who willfully evades who shall render a full accounting to the President or his duly or defeats any imposable tax under this sectioir. shall be authorized representative of the· operations of the utility or criminally liable and penalized under Section 255 of Republic business as basis for appropriate compensation: Provided, Act No. 8424, as amended. further, That reasonable compensation for any additional damage or costs incurred by the owner or the possessor of the SEC. 6. Tax on Salil, Barter or Exchange of Shares of subject property solely on account of complying with the Stock Listed and Traded Through Initial Pu.blic Offering. - directive shall be given to the person entitled to the possession

Section 127 — (B) of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, of such private properties or businesses after the situation has

Section 127(B) of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, of such private properties or businesses after the situation has as amended, is hereby repealed. stabilized or at the soonest time practicable: Provided, furthermore, That if the foregoing enterprises unjustifiably SEC. 7. National Referral System. - There shall be refuse or signify that they are no longer capable of operating established a COVID-19 National Referral System jointly their enterprises for the purpose stated herein, the President developed by the DOH and the Philippine Red Cross to provide may take over their operations subject to the limits and patients a fast and efficient way to locate and avail of the safeguards enshrined in the Constitution. services of hospitals, clinics, isolation centers, other health facilities, blood banks, convalescent plasma facilities, and SEC. 10. Appropriations and Standby Fund. - The ambulance systems: Provided, That this section shall remain amounts that will be raised under Section 4 paragraphs (pp), in effect even after the expiration of this Act. (qq), (rr), (ss), (sss) and (ttt) of this Act shall be used for the response and recovery interventions for the COVID-19 SEC. 8. Non-Discrimination. - In addition to acts or pandemic authorized in this Act and the following: emissions already penalized by existing laws, any person found to have committed any act or series of acts against a person (a) Thirteen billion five hundred million pesos declared confirmed, suspected, probable, exposed, or recovered (Pl3,500,000,000.00) for the following health-related responses: of the COVID-19 virus, returning OFWs, health workers, frontliners, other service workers, or indigent which result in (1) Continuous employment of existing emergency HRH unjust distinction, exclusion, restriction, physical, psychological and additional emergency HRH for hiring; harm or suffering, intimidation, harassment, damage to property, public ridicule or humiliation, verbal abuse, arbitrary (2) Augmentation for operations of DOH Hospitals; ejectment from dwelling, or unlawful deprivation of liberty, '} 40 41 (3) Special risk allowance for all public and private health identified by the DOLE, in coordination with the BIR, and SSS; workers directly catering to or in contact with COVID-19 freelancers, the self-employed and repatriated OFWs including patients for every month that they are servmg during the state OFWs whose deployment were suspended due to a of national emergency as declared by the President; government-imposed deployment ban; (4) Actual hazard duty pay for all health workers serving (e) Thirty-nine billion four hundred seventy-two million in the front line during the state of national emergency as five hundred thousand pesos (P39,472,500,000.00) for the declared by the President; infusion, of capital to GFis to be allocated as follows: . ·' (5) Free life insurance, accommodation, transportation and (1) Five billion pesos (P5,000,000,000.00) for the credit meals for all public and private health workers; and guarant~e program of the PhilGuarantee; (6) Compensation to public and ·private health workers (2) Eighteen billion four hundred seventy-two million five who may contract mild or severe/critical COVID-19 infection hundred thousand pesos (Pl8,472,500,000.00) to support while in the line of duty, and those who may die while fighting wholesale banking and equity infusion of the LBP for low the COVID-19 pandemic; interest loans to be extended to persons and entities engaged in industries affected by the COVID-19 pandemic; (b) Three billion pesos (P3,000,000,000.00) for procurement of face masks, PPE, shoe covers and face shields to be provided (3) Six billion pesos (P6,000,000,000.00) to support to all local health workers, barangay officials, and other wholesale banking and equity infusion of the DBP for low indigent persons that need protection to prevent the spread of interest loans to be extended to persons and entities engaged i. COVID-19: Provided, That preference shall be given to in industries affected by the COVID-19 pandemic; and products manufactured, produced, or made in the Philippines; (4) Ten billion pesos (Pl0,000,000,000.00) as additional (c) Four billion five hundred million pesos funding for the CARES Program of the SBCorp and for its (P4,500,000,000.00) to finance the construction of temporary other lending programs, as well as interest subsidy, to be medical isolation and quarantine facilities, field hospitals, extended to MSMEs, cooperatives, hospitals, tourism industry, dormitories for frontliners, and for the expansion of government and OFWs affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and by other hospital capacity all over the country; socioeconomic reversals; (d) Thirteen billion pesos (Pl3,000,000,000.00) for the (f) Twenty-four billion pesos (P24,000,000,000.00) to provide implementation of the following: direct cash or loan interest rate subsidies, under the programs of the Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Credit Policy (1) Cash-for-work programs for displaced workers as may Council (DA-ACPC) and other forms of assistance to qualified be necessary in the management of or response to the agri-fi.shery enterprises, farmers and fisherfolk registered under COVID-19 pandemic, such as, but not limited to, TUPAD, the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA), CAMP and DOLE-AKAP for OFW; and and agriculture cooperatives, to finance the Plant, Plant, Plant Program to ensure food security and continuous productivity (2) Unemployment or involuntary separation assistance in the agricultural sector including accessibility through farm for displaced workers or employees, such as those in private to market roads; · health institutions, culture and arts, creative industry including, but not limited to, film and audiovisual workers, (g) Nine billion five hundred million pesos construction, public transportation, and trade and industries, (P9,500,000,000.00) to finance the following programs of the I cooperatives, and other sectors of the economy as may be DOTr: 42 43 (1) Two billion six hundred four million pesos Scholarship Program (TWSP) and Special Training for (P2,604,000,000.00) to assist the critically impacted businesses Employment Program (STEP) for the retooling, retraining, and in the transportation industry; · upskilling of displaced workers including returning OFWs, as well as provision of tool kits under the STEP; (2) Five billion five hundred eighty million pesos (P5,580,000,000.00) to provide temporary livelihood to displaced (m) Six billion pesos (P6,000,000,000.00) to finance DSWD workers in the industry through service contracting, regardless programs such as, but not limited to, AI CS, emergency subsidy of quarantine levels, of public utility vehicles, as provided in to cater for areas which will be placed on granular lockdown, this Act, as follows: · ·" Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) for informal sectors not being caj;ered by DOLE, distribution of food and non-food items, (i) Three billion pesos (P3,000,000,000.00) for public utility livelihood assistance grants, and supplemental feeding program jeepney drivers; and for daycare children: Provided, further; That funds of the AICS program can also be utilized to address COVID-19 response (ii) Two billion five hundred eighty million pesos and recovery and to procure food packs subject to the existing (P2,580,000,000.00) for drivers of other public utility vehicles; circulars of DSWD; (3) One billion three hundred sixteen million pesos (n) Four -billion pesos (P4,000,000,000.00) to assist the (Pl,316,000,000.00) to develop accessible sidevfalks and DepEd in the implementation of Digital Education, Information protected bicycle lanes, procurement of bicycles and related Technology (IT) and Digital Infrastructures and Alternative safety equipment for bicycle distribution, sharing and lending >' Learning Modalities, including printing and delivery of programs, and procurement of bicycle racks; self-learning modules of the DepEd; · ~ (h) One hundred million pesos (Pl00,000,000.00) to (o) One billion five hundred million pesos finance the training and subsidies for tourist guides; (Pl,500,000,000.00) as assistance to LGUs under the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF); (i) Three billion pesos (P3,000,000,000.00) to assist SUCs in the development of smart campuses through investments (p) One hundred eighty million pesos (Pl80,000,000.00) in ICT infrastructure, acquisition of learning management to finance the allowances for National Athletes and Coaches systems and other appropriate equipment to fully implement whose allowances were reduced due to the pandemic; flexible learning modalities; (q) Eight hundred twenty million pesos (P820,000,000.00) G) Six hundred million pesos (P600,000,000.00) for for the augmentation of the Department of Foreign Affairs- subsidies and allowances to qualified students of public and Office of the Migrant Workers Affairs 2020 Assistance-to- private elementary, secondary, and tertiary education Nationals Fund for repatriation-related expenses, shipment of institutions; remains and cremains of overseas Filipinos (OFs) who passed away due to COVID-19, medical assistance of OFs, and other (k) Three hundred million pesos (P300,000,000.00) for assistance that may be provided for OFs who are affected by subsidies and allowances of displaced teaching and non-teaching the pandemic; personnel, including part-time faculty, in private and public elementary, secondary, and tertiary education institutions (r) Four billion pesos (P4,000,000,000.00) for the tourism including part-time faculty in SUCs; industry, to be distributed as follows: (1) One billion pesos (Pl,000,000,000.00) as additional (1) One billion pesos (Pl,000,000,000.00) for the Tourism scholarship funds of TESDA under its Training for Work' Road Infrastructure Programs of DPWH; and j·,: 44 45 (2) Three billion pesos (P3,000,000,000.00) for the implementation of cash-for-work programs under DOLE and (1) Ten billion pesos (Pl0,000,000,000.00) for COVID-19 for the unemployment and involuntary separation assistance testing and procurement of COVID-19 medication and vaccine; for displaced workers or employees; (2) Nine billion twenty-seven million and five hundred (s) Four billion five hundred million pesos thousand pesos (P9,027,500,000.00) to support wholesale (P4,500,000,000.00) for construction and maintenance of banking and equity infusion of the LBP for low interest loans isolation facilities including billing of hotels, food and to be extended to persons and entities engaged in industries transportation to be used for ·'the COVID-19 response and affected'by the COVID-19 pandemic; recovery program by the Office of Civil Defense as the head of the National Task Force against COVID-19; (3) Six billion five hundred million pesos (P6,500,000,000.00) to support wholesale banking and equity (t) Five billion pesos (P5,000,000,000.00), subject to Section infusion of the DBP for low interest loans to be extended to 4(b) hereof, to finance the hiring of at least 50,000 contact persons and entities engaged in industries affected by the tracers to be implemented by the DILG which shall include, COVID-19 pandemic; and but not limited to, recruitment, training, compensation, monitoring, logistics, and operational expenses; (4) All other programs and activities authorized in this •• Act: (u) Two million five hundred thousand pesos (P2,500,000.00) for Professional Regulation Commission's Provided, That the DBM shall submit reports on the computer-based licensure examination; releases made pursuant to this section as part of the monthly ~ report as mandated in Section 14 of this Act. (v) Two billion pesos (P2,000,000,000.00) to subsidize the payment of interest on new and existing loans secured by the SEC. 11. Sources of Funding. - The enumerated subsidy LGUs from LBP and DBP at One billion pesos and stimulus measures, as well as all other measures to (Pl,000,000,000) each; address the COVID-19 pandemic shall be funded from the following: (w) Ten million pesos (Pl0,000,000.00) for the HTAC research fund to provide for the commissioning of more (a) 2020 GAA: Provided, That funds for the herein COVID-19 research and enhance its internal capacity of authorized programs and projects shall be sourced primarily evidence generation; and from the unprogrammed funds and savings realized from modified, realigned, or reprogrammed allocations for operational (x) Fifteen million pesos (Pl5,000,000.00) for the expense of any government agency or instrumentality under establishment of a computational research laboratory in the the Executive Department, including, but not limited to, University of the Philippines-Dillman Institute of Mathematics travelling expenses, supplies and materials expenses, to process big data analysis for COVID-19 and other pandemic ,, professional services, general services, advertising expenses, research. printing and publication expenses, and other maintenance and operating expenses in the 2020 GAA; In addition, a standby fund in the amount of Twenty-five billion five hundred twenty-seven million and five ',, (b) Savings pooled pursuant to Republic Act No. 11469 hundred thousand pesos (P25,527,500,000.00) is hereby and Section 4 paragraphs (pp), (qq), (rr), (ss), (sss) and (ttt) authorized and shall be made available once additional funds of this Act; are generated from savings and unused amounts to fund the following: 46 47 (c) Excess revenue collections in any one of the identified SEC. 12. Procurement of COVID-19 Drugs and Vaccine. tax or nonMtax revenue sources from its corresponding revenue - Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the requirement collection target, as provided in the FY 2020 Budget of of Phase IV trials for COVID-19 medication and vaccine Expenditures and Sources of Financing (BESF); stipulated in the Universal Health Care Law is hereby waived to expedite the procurement of said medication and vaccine: (d) New revenue collections or those arising from new tax Provided, That these are recommended and approved by the or non-tax sources which are not part of nor included in the WHO and/or other internationally recognized health agencies: original sources included in the FY 2020 BESF; Provided, further, That the minimum standards for the distribution of the said medication and vaccine shall be (e) All· ii.mounts derived from the cash, funds, and determined by the FDA and HTAC, as may be applicable: investments held by any GO CC or any national government Provided, furthermore, That nothing in this Act shall prohibit :',' agency; private entities from conducting·research, developing, manufacturing, importing, distributing or selling COVID-19 (f) Amounts derived from the five percent (5%) franchise vaccine sourced from registered pharmaceutical companies, tax on the gross bets or turnovers or the agreed pre-determined subject to the provisions of this Act and existing laws, rules minimum monthly revenues from gaming operations, and regulations: Provided, finally, That this section shall whichever is higher, earned by offshore gaming licensees, remain in effect tliree (3) months after December 19, 2020. including gaming operators, gaming agents, servicet.providers and gaming support providers; SEC. 13. Report to Congress. - Within one (1) week from the effectivity of this Act, the DOH shall present a report to (g) Income tax, VAT, and other applicable taxes on Congress detailing an improved COVID-19 surveillance and income from non-gaming 0perations earned by offshore gaming control plan, which shall include improvements to data licensees, operators, agents, service providers and support monitoring and communication, instilling of proper COVID providers. related conduct in the public, and controlling the spread of the virus particularly in areas with high disease transmission, The tax shall be computed on the peso equivalent of the among others. foreign currency used, based on the prevailing official exchange rate at the time of payment, otherwise the same shall be SEC. 14. Reportorial Requirement and Creation of an considered as a fraudulent act constituting underdeclaration Oversight Committee. - The President, every first Monday of of taxable receipts or income, and shall be subject to interests, the month, shall submit a monthly report to Congress and to fines and penalties under Sections 248(B), 249(B), 253, and 255 the Commission on Audit (COA) of all acts performed pursuant of the National Internal Revenue Code of the Philippines. to this Act during the immediately preceding month including a report on the targets and actual accomplishments of After two (2) years or upon a determination that the government programs, strategies, plans, and efforts relative to threat of COVID-19 has been successfully contained or abated, ., the COVID-19 pandemic as well as relevant and more whichever comes first, the revenues derived from franchise granulated health-related data, and such other information taxes on gross bets or turnovers under paragraph (f) and which Congress and COA may require. The terms and income from non-gaming operations under paragraph (g) shall conditions of any loan entered into by the government to continue to be collected and shall accrue to the General Fund finance the programs and projects to implement this law shall of the Government. The BIR shall implement closure orders likewise be included in the Report. The Report shall also against offshore gaming licensees, operators, agents, service contain detailed BESF tables for COVID-19, similar to the providers and support providers who fail to pay the taxes due, BESF tables submitted to Congress by the Development Budget and such entities shall cease to operate. Coordination Committee. 48 49 For this purpose, the Congress s hall establish a J oint Congr essional Oversight Committee composed of four (4) members of each House to be appointed by the Senate This Act which is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 1564 President and the House Speaker , respectively. This Committee and House Bill No. 6953 was passed by the Senate of the s hall dete rmine whethe r s uch acts, orders, rules and Philippines and the House of Representatives on August 20, regulations are within the r estrictions provided herein. 2020 and August 24, 2020, respectively. SEC. 15. Construction or I nterpretation. - Nothing h erein shall be construed as ah impairment, restriction or modification of the provisions of the Constitution. In case the exercise of the powers herein granted conflicts with other ~~ ~-~ ~ JOSE LUIS G. MONTALES MYRA MARIE D. YILLARlCA statutes, orders, rules or regulations, the provisions of this Act shall prevail. Secretary General 'secretary of the Senate House of Representatives SEC. 16. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act or the application of such provision to any person or circumstance is declared invalid, the remainder of this Act or the application of such provision to a ny other J'er son or Approved: SEP 1 I 2~ • circumstance shall not be affected by such declaration. RODRI~OA SEC. 17. Repealing Clause. - Republic Act No. 11469 is repealed upon the adjouinment of the First Regular Session of the Eighteent h Congress, in accorda_nce with Article VI,

Section 23 — (2) of th e Constitution. All laws, acts, decrees, DUTERTE

Section 23(2) of th e Constitution. All laws, acts, decrees, DUTERTE executive orders, issuances, and rules a nd regulations or parts President of the Philippines thereof which are contr ary to and inconsistent with this Act are hereby r epealed, a mended or modified accordingly. 0 SEC. 18. Effectiuity. - Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, this Act shall be in full force and effect until the next adjournment of the Eighteenth Congress on December J 9, 2020. This Act sh all take effect immediately upon its publication in a newspaper of genera l circulation or in the Official Gazette: Provided, That Section 4(cc) of this Act shall tdi. REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES PRRD 2016 - 015451 be deemed to be in effect since Republic Act No. 11469 expired. Approved, Office of the P~ent Vl~O~Olll MALACANMG RECORDS OFFICE Speaker of the House President of Ii e S nate of Representatives

Covid Act (Republic Act No. 11494)

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SECTION 1 — Short Title. - This Act shall be known and

Section 12 — of Repubhc Act No. 10667 for a period of one (1) reasonable than those prevailing in the market: Provided,

Section 127 — (B) of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, of such private properties or businesses after the situation has

Section 23 — (2) of th e Constitution. All laws, acts, decrees, DUTERTE