Poe wonders: Where are fuel vouchers for PUJs?
Where are the fuel vouchers you promised?”
This was the question posed by Senator Grace Poe, chairperson of the Senate public services committee, to the Department of Finance (DOF) on Friday amid complaints that soaring prices of fuel had taken its toll on drivers of public utility jeepneys (PUJs).
After conducting inspections and consultations at the Ibalong Grand Transport Terminal in Legazpi City, Albay, Poe was asked about the fuel vouchers that drivers there have yet to receive.
“Kaya nandito ako ngayon sapagkat diretso ninyong nasasabi sa akin at ako naman, masasabi ko sa DOF, ‘nasaan na ang pinangako ninyo na nasa batas din na dapat magbigay rin ng mga vouchers para makatulong nga?” the senator said.
“Kung merong subsidiya, ibigay na agad at kung pumalo man ng $80 per barrel, dapat ay suspendihin na ang excise tax,” she also said.
Poe also urged the government to release the guidelines to implement the fuel vouchers, additional 10-percent fare discount, and other subsidies to minimum-wage earners, unemployed, and the poorest 50 percent of the population spelled out under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (Train) Law.
“Una, dapat yung mga fuel vouchers ipamahagi na. Pangalawa, bilisan natin ang pagdidistribute ng pera dito sa unconditional cash transfer kasi may mga ilang porsyento pang hindi nakakatanggap nito so kahit papaano ay malaking bagay iyan,” she said at the inquiry held at the Albay Provincial Capitol about the effects of Train Law.
According to Poe, transport and consumer groups and student leaders present during the hearing narrated that the Transport department has not yet discussed with them the possible subsidies they could get under the TRAIN Law.
A representative from the Transport department present during the hearing said they have a self-imposed deadline until end-June to publish the rules for Pantawid Pasada Program.
Around P977 million was appropriated for the program this year, which would be distributed to some 179,000 jeepney franchise holders, senators were told.
Under Section 82 of the Train Law, jeepney franchise holders are entitled to fuel vouchers; minimum-wage earners and the poorest 50 percent of the population are qualified for fare discounts, discounted National Food Authority rice and free skills training, while a total of 10 million low-income households will each receive P200 per month this year and P300 per month in 2019 and 2020.
However, only 4.4 million families had received the targeted cash transfers.
Poe and other senators have already called for the suspension of the higher fuel excise tax component of Train Law, following growing complaints of soaring prices of basic commodities from consumers and transport groups. /kga/vvp
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