Comelec allows distribution of fuel subsidy

The government can now continue the fuel subsidy to drivers and operators of public vehicles after the Commission on Elections (Comelec) approved the petition not to include the program in the ban on election spending.

The petition was filed by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to not stop the distribution of financial assistance to drivers and operators affected by the rising price of petroleum products.

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According to Comelec Commissioner George Garcia, the subsidy distribution will continue, but strict rules must be followed.

“We granted the petition of the LTFRB as regards to fuel the subsidy program. However, the grant of the petition to LTFRB is subject to the strict implementation of the program by submission of information on how the project will be implemented, the parameters of implementation and specially the specific target beneficiaries on how they will apply to avail of the grant of the programs,” Garcia explained in a news briefing on Wednesday.

Garcia also said, “Likewise subject to the submission of the different departments that will be implementing the said program of the LTFRB for the DA, DSWD, and such other departments have to specifically mention the beneficiaries on how and when project is implemented as well as documentation as to the compliance to the submission before of the implementation report of similar project.”

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Comelec allows distribution of fuel subsidy

The LTFRB on Monday suspended the distribution of the fuel subsidy due to the existing public spending ban as a result of Election 2022, which began on March 25 and will last until May 8, 2022.

To continue the subsidy distribution, the LTFRB had to file a petition to exclude such a program from the ban.

According to Garcia, the LTFRB will first have to wait for the Comelec’s resolution to be released containing the policies to be implemented.

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“They can immediately implement the program, but they have to wait for our resolution. The announcement is not the resolution…because the resolution will contain the conditions, strict conditions, that the commission deemed necessary for LTFRB to comply,” the official said.

“Hindi ito barya-barya lang. Napakalaking pera ang involve at the same time may mga ibang agencies and department that will be implementing this project,” Garcia added.

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