Bayanihan to Heal as One Act

Case Overview and Summary

Summary of Republic Act No. 11469 (Bayanihan to Heal as One Act)

Declaration of National Emergency
- Declares a state of national emergency over the entire country due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Section 2)

Declaration of Policy
- Outlines the urgent need to mitigate COVID-19 transmission, provide assistance to affected communities, prevent overburdening of the healthcare system, provide healthcare to COVID-19 patients, undertake recovery and rehabilitation programs, ensure sufficient funding, partner with private sector, and promote collective interests of Filipinos. (Section 3)

Authorized Powers of the President
- Adopt measures to prevent COVID-19 transmission and provide treatment. (Section 4a)
- Expedite accreditation of testing kits, facilitate testing, and isolate/treat patients. Cost of treatment covered by PhilHealth. (Section 4b)
- Provide emergency subsidy of P5,000 to P8,000 per month for two months to around 18 million low-income households, based on regional minimum wage rates. (Section 4c)
- Provide "COVID-19 special risk allowance" to public health workers, in addition to hazard pay. (Section 4d)
- PhilHealth to shoulder medical expenses of public and private health workers exposed to COVID-19. (Section 4e)
- Provide compensation of P100,000 for public and private health workers who contract severe COVID-19, and P1,000,000 for those who die, retroactive to February 1, 2020. (Section 4f)
- Ensure LGUs comply with national government policies and directives, and authorize LGUs to use more than 5% of calamity fund. (Section 4g)
- Direct operation of private hospitals, facilities, transportation, etc. for COVID-19 response, with reasonable compensation. (Section 4h)
- Enforce measures against hoarding, profiteering, price manipulation, and other trade violations. (Section 4i)
- Ensure prompt distribution of donated health products. (Section 4j)
- Undertake procurement of goods, services, and equipment needed for COVID-19 response, exempt from procurement laws. (Section 4k)
- Partner with Philippine Red Cross for distribution of goods and services. (Section 4l)
- Engage temporary human resources for health, with appropriate compensation and hazard pay. (Section 4m)
- Ensure availability of credit to productive sectors. (Section 4n)
- Liberalize incentives for manufacture or importation of critical equipment and supplies, exempt from import duties and taxes. (Section 4o)
- Ensure availability of essential goods, especially food and medicine. (Section 4p)
- Require businesses to prioritize contracts for necessary materials and services. (Section 4q)
- Regulate all modes of transportation. (Section 4r)
- Regulate traffic and remove encroachments on roads and public places. (Section 4s)
- Authorize alternative working arrangements in government and private sector. (Section 4t)
- Conserve and regulate distribution of power, fuel, energy, and water. (Section 4u)
- Discontinue programs/projects in 2019 and 2020 GAA and utilize savings for COVID-19 response, prioritizing certain items. (Section 4v)
- Utilize unspent funds from special purpose funds for COVID-19 response. (Section 4w)
- Reprogram, reallocate, and realign savings from 2020 GAA for COVID-19 response. (Section 4x)
- Allocate cash, funds, and investments held by GOCCs and agencies for COVID-19 response. (Section 4y)
- Move statutory deadlines for filing documents, paying taxes and fees, and granting benefits. (Section 4z)
- Direct banks and financial institutions to implement 30-day grace period for loan payments without penalties. (Section 4aa)
- Provide 30-day grace period on residential rents without penalties. (Section 4bb)
- Implement expanded Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program and assistance program for households without income. (Section 4cc)
- Lift 30% cap on quick response fund appropriations. (Section 4dd)
- Undertake other reasonable and necessary measures to carry out national policy. (Section 4ee)

Reports to Congress and Oversight Committee
- President to submit weekly report to Congress on acts performed and utilization of funds. (Section 5)
- Congress to establish Joint Congressional Oversight Committee to determine if acts are within restrictions. (Section 5)

Penalties
- Imprisonment of 2 months or fine of P10,000 to P1,000,000, or both, for various offenses related to violating the law. (Section 6)

Construction and Interpretation
- Act shall not impair, restrict or modify provisions of the Constitution. (Section 7)
- If provisions conflict with other laws, this Act shall prevail. (Section 7)

Separability Clause (Section 8)

Effectivity
- Act takes effect immediately upon publication and shall be in full force for 3 months, unless extended by Congress. (Section 9)
- Powers may be withdrawn sooner by concurrent resolution of Congress or Presidential Proclamation. (Section 9)