Congress okays bills to spur economy, give medical scholarships

BAGUIO CITY – Congress has approved on third and final reading bills to address the Covid-19 pandemic and provide medical scholarship to deserving students and frontliners, Rep. Mark Go revealed.

In an online media forum August 11, Go said House Bill 6953 or the Bayanihan to Recover As One Act, also known as the Bayanihan 2, and  House Bill 6756 or the Medical Scholarship and Return Service Program were approved in a virtual plenary session Aug. 10.

HB 6953 aims to hasten the country’s Covid-19 recovery and response by providing stimulus and recovery measures such as low-interest loans for micro, small and medium enterprises; additional resources for health care; sustained efforts for COVID-19 testing, tracing, isolation, and treatment, and support programs for health workers, among others. 

Go said that the bill will not to respond to Covid-19 but boost the economy. 

The Lower House approved a P162-billion fund as economic stimulus.

Senate version is P140B. 

Go said that they will  wait  for the bicameral conference committee of both Houses to iron out differences in their respective versions for  approval for signing into law by the President.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, in his fifth state of the nation address urged Congress to pass the Bayanihan 2 to speed up the country’s recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile, Go, chairperson of the committee on higher and technical education has sponsored the bill granting medical scholarship with return service to deserving students. 

This expands the current scholarship programs already established in eight state universities and colleges. 

Under this bill, medical students can also avail of scholarships in private higher education institutions in regions where there are no SUCs offering a medical course or scholarship. 

Scholarship benefits include allowance for prescribed books, clothing/uniform, supplies and equipment; allowance for dormitory or boarding house accommodation including transportation; Internship and medical board review fees, and annual medical insurance, and other education-related miscellaneous subsistence or expenses. (JDP/RMC- PIA CAR)