Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 4) — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) bared on Monday that the disbursement of fuel subsidy for public utility vehicle drivers and operators has been suspended since March 25 pending a resolution from the Commission on Elections.
The program of the LTFRB is covered by the election spending ban, so the poll body has to release its decision on the petition to exempt the said program.
The agency said there was a hearing last March 29 where it vowed that the distribution of funds will not be used for political gains.
“LTFRB is waiting for the Comelec’s decision but card production and other preparations are still being conducted for the remaining payables,” it said in a statement.
Around 110,000 of the 264,000 PUV drivers have received cash assistance of ₱6,500 each, which is intended to tide them over amid the massive fuel price hikes in the past weeks. LTFRB added it still has not received the list of tricycle drivers eligible to receive the subsidy.
The ban on election spending was put in place to deter electioneering or the use of publicly-funded programs to further a politician’s candidacy. Some programs of the Department of Health and Department of Trade and Industry have been granted exemption by Comelec.
