By BERNIE CAHILES-MAGKILAT   Business groups yesterday urged the administration and Congress for the immediate passage of the special law to aggressively combat the COVID-19 pandemic, aid Filipinos and the economy within a limited period of two months. The Lower House has already started official deliberations on the proposed “Bayanihan Act of 2020” and its counterpart bill in the Senate known as “We Heal as One Act”. “We express support for the immediate passage of the law. We recommend that any law that is passed by Congress should be consistent with our constitutional and legal principles, and not be overly broad and over-reaching -- in particular with realignment and reallocation of government and Government owned and controlled corporation funds that should consider the constitutional guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court, and take-over of private enterprises -- in order to avoid constitutional challenges that would delay implementation thereof,” according to the joint statement signed by 22 business organizations. In pushing for the passage of a special law, the business community suggested some provisions to be considered. Foremost, they would like to limit the duration of the law to two months and any extension thereof should be done by an act of Congress. They also urged to authorizing the President or his designees to grant special permits and exemptions from bureaucratic requirements under existing laws and regulations as may be reasonably necessary to avoid delay in the deployment or utilization of the funds and procurement of needed requirements. The special must also consider authorizing the President to adopt measures as may be reasonably necessary to facilitate and/or minimize disruption to the supply chain, especially for basic commodities and services to the maximum extent possible. In addition, the business groups said that the fund should also include provision for rehabilitation, special financing programs and/or stimulus package to help businesses - especially MSMEs - that are adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, especially to help them pay workers to remain quarantined and, when the pandemic is under control, to rehire and resume normal operations. They also support any assistance that the President may seek from foreign countries and multilateral organizations to raise money if necessary, under such terms and conditions as he may deem to be in the best interest of the country. Some of the foregoing items can also be covered in a second bill if including them now will cause needless delay in the passage of the bill. Cognizant that the re-allocated or re-aligned funds from government agencies and GOCCs may not be sufficient for the foregoing purposes, a second bill may provide additional funds to address both health and economic issues. “In order to minimize the damage of COVID-19 to the people and the economy, we urge Congress to pass quickly the special law at the earliest possible time,” the statement added. The private sector also commits to continue working with the government to fight COVID-19 with the assets and facilities at their disposal and, with proper consideration for their safety, with their manpower, starting from its managers. The groups also commit to continue to support the health workers and medical establishments at the frontline of the war. Among the signatories of the joint include the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, ANVIL Business Club, Australian New Zealand Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Bankers Association of the Philippines, Canadian Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce & Industry Inc., Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce (PHIL) Inc., Investment House Association of the Philippines, Judicial Reform Initiative, Makati Business Club, Management Association of the Philippines, Microfinance Council of the Philippines, Organization of Socialized and Economic Housing Developers of the Philippines, People Management of the Philippines, Philippine Association of Securities Brokers and Dealers, Inc, Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship, Philippine Hotel Owners Association Inc., Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Inc., Shareholders’ association of the Philippines, Subdivision and Housing Developers Association Inc., and Women’s Business Council Philippines.