Budget for second fuel subsidy ready, Palace says

MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang yesterday assured the public transport sector that it was ready to implement the second tranche of the Pantawid Pasada or fuel subsidy program even as it again called on various transport groups to reconsider their planned strike.

“We have the budget, we have more than enough budget to implement a second tranche,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a press briefing in Malacañang.

Valte also scored the Pinag-isang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (Piston) for seeking a dialogue with President Aquino and rejecting it after the Chief Executive had acceded to their request.

She said the President would like to personally listen to the concerns of the transport groups and also offer and discuss with them the various options to help ease the burden of rising oil prices – among them the second tranche of fuel subsidy.

The Palace earlier explained that drastic moves like lifting the value added tax on oil, even temporarily, could cost the government a lot, and the proposal to provide state subsidy could artificially lower oil prices in the local market.

“The dialogue is there for the President to hear their concerns and for us to be able to find ways to move forward, given their concerns. But we are saying also at this point, we have more than enough to implement a second tranche of Pantawid Pasada, if it is needed,” Valte said.

She said six transport groups had signified interest to join the dialogue with the President and it was “unfortunate” that Piston backed out.

She added that the transport groups must realize they were not the only ones affected by the rising oil prices and that the government had provided the fuel subsidy to help the public transport sector and save commuters from paying higher fares.

Valte, however, said the government was ready to extend assistance to those who would be affected by the strike if ever this would push through.

She said the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and other agencies would provide the vehicles needed to transport passengers who might get stranded.

She said the government would not want to threaten the transport groups with punishment or suspension of franchise but being in public service, they must consider the convenience of the commuters.

The Palace spokesperson said it will be the loss of the transport groups if they do not participate in the dialogue and that the Palace would not force them to do so. She said it would be up to the public to judge whether Piston was acting in bad faith. –Aurea Calica (The Philippine Star)