A lawmaker has sought the extension of the emergency powers granted to President Rodrigo Duterte under Republic Act 11469 or the “Bayanihan to Heal As One Act.”

Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez is set to file on Tuesday a bill extending the emergency powers for another three months or up to September. The law that was enacted on March 24 is effective only for three months.

“Such powers are good for three months. Unfortunately, two months after the effectivity of the law, the end to the pandemic is not yet in sight. There are still new Covid-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) positive cases being reported every day and the country is not yet fully operating,” Rodriguez said.

On Monday, the Department of Health reported 284 new cases, bringing the total to 14,319.

“It is therefore clear that the pandemic will not be over by June 24, 2020. As such, we need to extend the effectivity of the Bayanihan to Heal As One Act and give the President additional time to address the pandemic,” the lawmaker said.

A similar proposal had been filed at the Senate.

Rodriguez urged leaders of the Senate and the House of Representatives to approve the extension before Congress adjourns on June 5. The lawmaker said if the legislature fails to pass the bill next week, the President would need to call for a special session during the recess if he wanted to extend the emergency powers.

The special authority granted to the President under the Bayanihan law includes the provision of financial assistance to 18 million low-income households for April and May, the realignment of the national budget to fund Covid-19 response measures, and the procurement of personal protective equipment and other supplies for frontline health workers.

Rodriguez pointed out that the financial aid for May, which amounts to P100 billion, has yet to be distributed while the Department of Health and its hospitals are still awaiting for a large portion of procured medical supplies.