‘Hunger simply cannot wait,’ says Poe on suspended PUV subsidy distribution due to poll ban

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Grace Poe on Monday lamented the suspension of cash aid distribution to public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and operators due to the election spending ban, and stressed that “hunger simply cannot wait.”

“Our PUV drivers and operators have waited long for the cash aid that we have funded in the annual budget to bring succor to our people in times of distress,” Poe, chairperson of the Senate public services committee, said in a statement.

“We cannot tell our people to hold on for relief until the elections are over. Hunger simply cannot wait.”

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) temporarily halted on March 25 its distribution of fuel subsidy to PUV drivers and operators.

“Since the release of the P3-billion fund, not even half of the identified 377,000 beneficiaries received the assistance, which was handed out only for 10 days before the election ban took effect on March 25,” Poe pointed out.

The LTFRB has already appealed to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to let it proceed with its fuel subsidy disbursement.

“We call on the Commission on Elections to expedite its decision on the appeal by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board for exemption to allow it to continue the distribution,” Poe went on.

Comelec Commissioner George Garcia said the decision on LTFRB’s appeal is set to be announced on April 7.

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