COVID-19 PANDEMIC: MANILA- Robredo urges Congress to pass ARISE bill

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Leni Robredo yesterday renewed her call for the immediate passage of the P1.3-trillion Accelerated Recovery and Investments Stimulus for the Economy (ARISE) bill to cushion the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy.

“We think the ARISE bill is more responsive and inclusive,” Robredo said in her weekly radio program over dzXL.

“It would have been immediate because what it covers is not just health care, but social safety nets, assistance to businesses, and infrastructure that will provide jobs for the people,” she said.

The House of Representatives passed the bill, principally co-authored by committee on economic affairs chair Sharon Garin and Marikina Rep. Stella Luz Quimbo, in June.

Under ARISE, funding for the economic stimulus will come from the Department of Finance through the Bureau of Treasury, government financial institutions and government-owned corporations, as well as bonds.

Robredo said she also supports the unemployment insurance bill filed by Quimbo.

“Congresswoman Quimbo also filed a bill on unemployment insurance. There’s a similar bill in other countries that if you lose your job, you will be covered by insurance,” she said.

Millions of Filipinos have lost their jobs due to the coronavirus crisis. – Delon Porcalla