P5,000 fuel subsidy for jeepney drivers not only delayed but too small — Aquino
THE P5,000 fuel subsidy for jeepney drivers affected by the tax reform program is too small and must be increased, Senator Benigno “Bam” Aquino 4th said on Friday.
“Atrasado na nga ang tulong, kulang pa ang ibibigay ng gobyerno sa mga tsuper ng pampasaherong jeep,” Aquino said.
(The financial aid given by the government to jeepney drivers was late and insufficient.)
Aquino urged the government to review its the Pantawid Pasada Program (PPP) for the transport sector to determine if it was enough to cover the increase in fuel prices and other needs of jeepney drivers.
The PPP is a mitigating measure under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law wherein a total of P5,000 would be given to jeepney drivers from July to December 2018. This will mean an additional P833 per month or P27.7 per day.
“Kung kukuwentahin, wala pang isang litro ng diesel ang tulong na binibigay sa ating mga jeepney driver. Kulang na kulang ito sa taas ng presyo ng bilihin,” Aquino said.
(If we will calculate, the financial aid being given to jeepney drivers is not enough to pay for one liter of diesel. This is insufficient in view of the high prices of basic goods.)
The Department of Transportation (DoTr) is set to initially distribute at least 10,000 fuel vouchers next week. The PPP will cover 179,850 public utility jeepney units with existing franchises with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
He urged the government to ensure that the PPP would be sufficient to cover the rise in fuel prices and allow jeepney drivers to use it for other needs, such as food.
He also reiterated his call to the DoTr to expand the PPP to other modes of public transportations such as tricycles and the UV express. BERNADETTE TAMAYO
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