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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Ex-VP Binay lauds gov't moves to aid sectors affected by rising fuel prices

Ex-VP Binay lauds gov't moves to aid sectors affected by rising fuel prices

Published Mar 11, 2022 01:04 pm

Former Vice President and senatorial aspirant Jejomar Binay lauded the national government's efforts to mitigate the adverse effects of the Russia-Ukraine conflict to Filipinos as the cost of fuel continues to rise.

Binay welcomed the extension of fuel subsidy and cash aid for sectors affected by rising fuel prices, but he stressed the importance of ensuring the timely release of government aid to those who need it most.

“We have a possible crisis unfolding before us. By now, it should be clear from our experience with the pandemic that our authorities need to be proactive,” Binay said.

“Dapat ibigay agad ang ayuda sa mga tunay na nangangailangan (The ayuda must be given immediately to those who are in need of it),” he added.

In February, Binay proposed the grant of fuel subsidies for public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers, cash or food subsidies for the poor, and price ceilings on basic goods.

He explained that the government should draw on the lessons from the distribution of cash aid under the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Government should seriously consider releasing cash aid through digital cash transfers. This system not only minimizes crowding at distribution sites, but is more efficient,” Binay said.

The former vice president also lauded the decision of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to tackle the issue of increasing the minimum wage in Metro Manila as the prices of fuel and other goods continue to rise, but the wages of workers remain the same. The concerns of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) should also be considered in discussing the issue of adjusting the minimum wage.

“Ngayon pa lang nagsisimulang bumangon mula sa epekto ng pandemya ang mga manggagawa at maliliit na negosyante (Workers and MSMEs are just starting to recover from the economic effects of the pandemic). In tackling the issue of raising the minimum wage, the wage councils must be able to strike a balance,” Binay said.

Binay reiterated his proposal for the government to extend wage subsidies for MSMEs.

“The wage subsidy can be in the form of a grant, with no obligation to repay. The amount could be given directly to workers, similar to what Makati extended to MSMEs in the city,” Binay said.

According to reports, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has released a total of P2.5 billion to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) as fuel subsidy for some 377,000 PUV drivers. It has also released P500 million through the Department of Agriculture (DA) as fuel subsidy for farmers and fishermen.

Related Tags

fuel prices AYUDA Russia-Ukraine Jojo Binay
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