Former Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito said distribution of cash aid for tricycle and jeepney riders affected by the ongoing oil crisis can be expedited through the government’s national ID system.
In a statement, Ejercito said the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) should prioritize the registration of tricycle and jeepney drivers in the national ID System to ensure the efficient distribution of financial assistance to affected drivers.
“Ang corruption at inefficiency ng distribusyon ng ayuda ay laging nauugnay sa totoong pagkakakilanlan ng mga beneficiary,” Ejercito said.
“Sa pamamagitan ng national ID system, mas mapapabilis natin ang pag-identify ng beneficiary sa ayuda,” he added.
To make the registration process more accessible, Ejercito said national ID registration booths can be installed in malls, public markets, police stations, and municipal halls.
Once implemented, this move will prevent corruption and inefficiency in the distribution of cash aid, the former Senator said.
“Sa pamamagitan nito, madali na ma-identify ang beneficiary ng ayuda. Para mas mapadali ang proseso, pwede pa ito i-transfer sa ATM card ng mga TODA at jeep driver, pwede sa LandBank,” he said.
The price of fuel has been rising rapidly across the country as a result of global oil price hikes triggered by the Russian invasion of Ukraine in recent weeks.
Last week, President Rodrigo Duterte approved several recommendations submitted by his economic team on measures that seek to cushion the impact of the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian conflict on the Philippine economy, especially on oil and food security.
However, Ejercito said the transportation sector will continue to benefit from his proposal beyond the Russo-Ukrainian crisis since there are many instances where the distribution of cash aid is needed.
“Hindi lang ngayon ang krisis. Hindi lang din ngayon ang pagbibigay ng ayuda. Kapag maayos ang national ID system, mas maayos at mas mabilis ang distribusyon ng ayuda,” he said.
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