A House leader has called out the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on the matter of fuel subsidies for both transportation and agriculture sectors---more specifically, the lack of it.

“At times of crisis, those in government are expected to act with reasonable dispatch in providing much-needed relief to the public,” said House Deputy Speaker and Bagong Henerasyon (BH) Party-list Rep. Bernadette Herrera.

According to her, the government must fast-track the implementation and distribution of fuel subsidy and other assistance to public utility vehicles (PUVs) affected by the successive fuel price hikes.

Herrera noted how the DBM was yet to come up with guidelines on the promised fuel subsidies for PUV drivers, operators as well as farmers and farm workers.

“The government should not dilly-dally in taking action and in helping our kababayans, especially those in the public transport sector who are still reeling from the effects of Covid-19,” she added.

Herrera said the double whammy of Covid-19 and oil price shocks is hitting drivers and operators of PUVs particularly hard.

“That’s why it is important for the government to come to their rescue, otherwise there’s no way for them to cope with rising fuel prices and their families will go hungry,” she pointed out.

The Cabinet-level Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) earlier said it was ready to disburse P2.5 billion for fuel subsidies on top of P500 million for farmers and fisherfolk, but Malacañang said it would be up to the DBM to interpret the law.

Local prices of fuel have been steadily going up since last year due to increased economic activity around the world upon the easing of Covid-related protocols. The prices are expected to go up further, most notably due to the Russia-Ukraine war.