SOURCE: Press and Public Affairs Bureau
The House of Representatives will remain in lockdown next week amid ongoing surge in COVID-19 cases in the National Capital Region (NCR) and nearby provinces, Speaker Lord Allan Velasco announced on Friday.
“We have decided to extend the lockdown by another week from January 10 to 16 as a precautionary measure to protect the health and safety of House members and employees in view of an alarming rise in COVID-19 cases in NCR and adjacent provinces,” Velasco said.
The House has been placed on lockdown since last Tuesday amid the threat of the Omicron coronavirus variant that health authorities suspect is behind the current spike in infections.
Velasco said regular work in the House will resume on January 17, when the legislature is also scheduled to convene for its first plenary session since the holiday break.
However, Velasco said only 20 percent of the workforce in each office in the House will be allowed to report for work starting January 17.
Velasco said he has already instructed House Secretary General Mark Llandro Mendoza to ensure the strict implementation of the lockdown.
The House chief advised lawmakers and employees to stay at home, as he assured them of continued access to virtual committee meetings, public hearings and other events in the House during the lockdown period.
Velasco also reiterated his appeal to the public to remain vigilant and continue all public health precautions against COVID-19.
“Now, more than ever, it is important to continue to wear face mask, maintain proper physical distancing, practice good hygiene, and get vaccinated. For those who have already completed their primary doses of COVID-19 vaccine, get your booster shot once you’re eligible,” Velasco said.
He added: “These are small steps that will surely help us in a big way to protect ourselves and our loved ones from contracting the virus as we continue to fight this pandemic. We must not let our guard down.” #
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 5
Introduced by Representatives
Manuel Jose "Mannix" M. Dalipe and Marcelino C. Libanan
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
PROVIDING FOR THE LEGISLATIVE CALENDAR FOR THE FIRST REGULAR SESSION OF THE NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES
RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, THE SENATE CONCURRING, That the Legislative Calendar for the First Regular Session of the Nineteenth Congress of the Philippines shall be as follows:
CALENDAR OF SESSION
FIRST REGULAR SESSION
| 1. | Commencement of Session | July 25, 2022 - September 30, 2022 |
| 2. | Adjournment of Session | October 1, 2022 - November 6, 2022 |
| 3. | Resumption of Session | November 7, 2022 - December 16, 2022 |
| 4. | Adjournment of Session | December 17, 2022 - January 22, 2023 |
| 5. | Resumption of Session | January 23, 2023 - March 24, 2023 |
| 6. | Adjournment of Session | March 25, 2023 - May 7, 2023 |
| 7. | Resumption of Session | May 8, 2023 - June 2, 2023 |
| (Sine Die Adjournment) | ||
| 8. | Adjournment of Session | June 3, 2023 - July 23, 2023 |
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