MANILA, Philippines — Perhaps shamed by the thought of going on vacation during a national health crisis, some congressmen urged President Rodrigo Duterte to call a special session so Congress can work on measures to help in the fight against the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19). ADVERTISEMENT“If we wait for May 4 to consider these measures, it might be too late to help the affected sectors,” he said. “I am suggesting that the House and the Senate meet in a special session through video-teleconferencing and other technological means.”“The prudent thing to do is to stay home and work from home to avoid getting infected by this virus. Unapproved budgetDeputy Speaker Luis Raymund Villafuerte Jr. agreed that a special session of Congress was in order for urgent measures that would equip the government in the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic. “With the economic slowdown due to COVID-19 measures, banks and lending institutions should avoid loan defaults by relaxing loan repayments.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer March 15, 2020 20:37 UTC