Presidential aspirant, Senator Ping Lacson praised the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) for its decision to exempt the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) fuel subsidy from the ban on the disbursement of public funds in the ongoing election period.

According to Lacson, “Way to go, and kudos to the COMELEC for acting expeditiously on such a no-brainer issue involving the fuel subsidy grant under the special provision of the Department of Transportation’s 2022 budget.”

The independent candidate reiterated that the fuel subsidy program imposed by the LTFRB helps and reaches the affected sector by giving assistance. 

“This is a great deal for public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and operations, as well as farmers and fisherfolk who are dealing with the continued rise in prices of oil,” Lacson stated. 

The current administration had a PHP2.5 billion fund for fuel subsidies that will benefit 377, 000 PUVs, operators, and drivers during the health crisis.

Lacson stressed the urgency of fuel subsidy citing that it is a call of the times as the price of oil increases which will affect the transport sector, fisherfolk, and farmers. He also believed that unless there is jurisprudence along that line, the national government has no reason to ban social services to our people.