BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental, Philippines – The 18th Congress will hold a special virtual session tomorrow to discuss granting the president authority to decide on what measures to take to contain the spread of the COVID19 here as infections and mortality continue to mount.
Lone district Cong. Greg Gasataya told DNX solons from more than 300 political districts and partylists will gather online in a virtual session that will authorize President Duterte to exercise powers necessary to carry out urgent measures to meet the current national emergency relating to COVID-19; and
enough leeway to utilize funds to strengthen government’s response against threat of COVID-19 and to continue providing basic services to the people.
Gasataya said the measure that will contain these is tentatively called “Bayanihan Bill.”
House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano will be inside the House session hall while the other solons will be joining the deliberations via online using an app downloaded to their smartphones.
The change is due to the need for social distancing, a step taken to avoid mass gatherings that carry the potential of spreading the virus.
The proceedings will be streamed live on Congress’ YouTube channel and social media pages.
