Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 6) – The halted fuel subsidy distribution is back on track as the Commission on Elections (Comelec) approved on Wednesday its exemption from election spending ban.
Comelec has approved the exemption of Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board’s (LTFRB) fuel subsidy distribution program from the election ban on public spending for government projects.
“We granted the petition of the LTFRB as regards to fuel subsidy program,” Comelec commissioner George Garcia said in a press conference after the poll body’s en banc session.
Garcia clarified the LTFRB must wait for a formal resolution to be adopted by the Comelec en banc, before resuming the fuel subsidy program.
Garcia emphasized their approval is subject to certain conditions like “strict implementation” of the fuel subsidy program, the parameters of the project’s implementation, and how targeted beneficiaries will apply to the cash aid.
“They have to specifically mention beneficiaries, the how and when the project should be implemented, as well as the documentation as to the compliance of the submission before of a similar project,” Garcia added.
The LTFRB earlier put a stop on the distribution of the fuel subsidy program as the Comelec spending ban took effect last March 25, and up until May 8.
“Definitely, we will immediately issue the resolution,” said Garcia, citing the urgency to restart the program in the wake of rising oil prices that severely affected public transport drivers.
Meanwhile, the Comelec also allowed the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to implement the Automated Fare Collections System, which institutionalizes the cashless payment options in all transport modes nationwide.
Garcia added the DOTr does not need to obtain the poll body’s nod since the program is not considered as a “social services” project under the Omnibus Election Code.
In an interview with CNN Philippines’ Traffic Center, Department of Transportation (DOTr) Assistant Secretary Steve Pastor welcomed the Comelec’s approval of the request made by LTFRB to resume the fuel subsidy program.
“In fact even during the time of the suspension of the distribution, the LTFRB has already prepared the pertinent document in coordination with Landbank so that once we receive the actual resolution, we can already implement the thing,” Pastor said.
