CAGAYAN de Oro City 2nd district Rep. Rufus Rodriguez today urged the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to allow the distribution of P6,500 financial assistance to public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers.
He even said the government cannot tell PUV drivers and operators to wait after elections before they get their cash aid from the government.
Rodriguez said the Comelec should approve the application of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), the agency distributing the ayuda, to be exempted from the election campaign spending ban.
“The release of funds to thousands of jeepney and other PUV drivers should not be considered as election spending,” said Rodriguez adding that there should be no politics in it because it is a government agency that is disbursing the money.
He said the funds are intended to help those in the public transportation sector cope with difficulties caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
These difficulties have been aggravated by soaring fuel prices brought about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, he added.
To avoid accusations of political partisanship, Rodriguez urged the LTFRB not to allow any politician or political party or group to meddle or be identified with the distribution of funds.
“There should absolutely be no politics in the release of the money,” he said.
According to LTFRB data, as of April 5 when the distribution was stopped, only 110,200 out of the over 377,000 intended beneficiaries have received their ayuda.
Rodriguez said many of his constituents in Cagayan de Oro City and Northern Mindanao still have to be given their financial assistance.
“The Comelec should not wait for more increases in the pump prices of diesel, gasoline and other oil products before approving LTFRB’s application for an exemption from the spending ban,” he said.
He said such spikes would effectively decrease the value of the financial assistance that PUV drivers would receive.
He added that as of today, there is a projected new round of fuel price adjustment for next Tuesday. (Ben Balce)
