HOUSE Deputy Minority Leader and Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Partylist Rep. Leila de Lima has filed a measure seeking to establish a comprehensive fuel subsidy program for vulnerable sectors whose incomes have been severely affected by rising fuel prices.
In filing House Bill No. 8031 or the “Fuel Subsidy Program Act,” De Lima aims to provide a monthly fuel subsidy of not less than seven thousand pesos (P7,000.00) to public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers, farmers, fisherfolks, and other low-income sectors.
“Through this bill, Filipino workers in sectors largely dependent on oil shall be provided stability in their livelihoods regardless of geopolitical developments that inevitably affect oil prices,” the Bicolana lawmaker said.
De Lima’s measure recognizes that several government agencies — such as the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of Transportation (DOTr), and the Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) — and local government units (LGUs) have occasionally provided fuel subsidies to affected workers, including tricycle drivers through the “Pantawid Pasada Program” and farmers and fisherfolk through the “Fuel Discount Program,” among others, to alleviate the burden of increased oil prices.
However, according to the lady solon, “The temporary, or often one-time, fuel subsidy programs by these government agencies and LGUs fail to provide the affected workers the necessary assurance that they shall have the consistent support to continue in their respective livelihoods amid the rising oil prices.”
“Mahalaga na maalalayan at matulungan ng gobyerno ang mga sektor na ito na naghahatid sa ating mga kababayan ng pangunahing mga serbisyo — kinakailangang transportasyon at pagkain sa hapag ng bawat pamilya. Sa pagpapagaan sa kanilang pasanin, natutulungan din natin silang pagandahin ang kanilang serbisyo sa mga Pilipino,” she added.
Among the identified beneficiaries of this measure include public transport operators and drivers, municipal fisherfolk, farmers and agricultural producers, and other low-income sectors as may be identified by the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
To ensure efficiency, accountability, and transparency in distribution, HB 8031 mandates that the subsidy be directly deposited into the beneficiaries’ bank accounts.
The amount of the monthly subsidy shall be subject to annual review and adjustment by the DOE and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), in consultation with the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev), to account for inflation, prevailing fuel prices, and fiscal capacity.
“These are the kinds of programs to which our State should provide funding, instead of projects that never materialize and only benefit a few, including those who pocket kickbacks,” De Lima said.
“Sa regular na fuel subsidy para sa mga PUV drivers, maiiwasan ang dagdag na pasahe na pabigat din sa ating mga commuters. Sa tulong na ito para sa ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda, mapapataas ang kita nila na magbibigay ng dagdag na kakayahan para pataasin ang kanilang produksyon, na magpapababa naman sa presyo ng pagkain. Sa lahat ng ito, sambayanan ang makikinabang,” she added.
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