Article by:
Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos
MANILA – Former presidential spokesperson and senatorial aspirant Salvador Panelo has promised to push for a measure that will ease the burden of the public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers amid the unabated oil price surges.
If elected to the Senate, Panelo said he would make a proposal that would compel the government to shoulder half of the price of fuel products to help PUV drivers cope with the oil price hikes.
“‘Yung mga driver [ng] tricycle, jeepney, at ng mga taxi, kailangan kalahati lang ang bayaran nila sa bawat gasolina, langis, at piyesa. Kalahati, dapat ang gobyerno ang managot (Tricycle, jeepney, and taxi drivers will just pay half of the price of gasoline, oil, and mechanical parts because the other half will be paid by the government),” Panelo said during the campaign rally of the ruling party Partido Demokratiko Pilipino- Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) in Caloocan City on Tuesday night.
Following a two-week rollback, prices of petroleum products increased again on Tuesday.
Caltex, Cleanfuel, Jetti, Petro Gazz, PTT Philippines, Seaoil, and Shell raised diesel and gasoline prices by PHP1.70 per liter and PHP0.45 per liter, respectively.
Caltex, Seaoil, and Shell also increased kerosene prices by PHP0.40 per liter.
The government allotted PHP2.5 billion for fuel subsidy that will benefit around 377,000 PUV operators and drivers amid the soaring prices of oil products.
The Commission on Elections has imposed a spending ban due to the May 9, 2022 elections, prompting the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to suspend the implementation of its fuel subsidy program.
The Comelec later exempted the LTFRB from the cash disbursement ban.
Free gov’t services
Panelo also vowed to craft measures that would offer free services to his fellow Filipinos.
This, as he promised to give the Filipino people a comfortable life.
“Ang mga batas na isusulong ko ay simpleng-simple lang. Kailangan kapag kayo’y pinanganak na Pilipino, libre na ang edukasyon, ospital, doktor, at libre ang serbisyo ng abugado. Wala na hong mga restriction kailangan kapag kayo’y pinanganak na Pilipino. Isa ‘yun (If you are a Filipino, you will benefit from the measures that I will craft. These bills will provide free education, hospital services, and legal assistance. There will be no restrictions if you are a Filipino. That’s one),” Panelo said.
Panelo also reiterated his plan to push for a measure that would give all Filipino mothers a monthly allowance and create a special pension fund for overseas Filipino workers.
He likewise sought to double the salaries of nurses and teachers, as well as to provide fixed monthly pay to village officials.
He added that he would also push for the enactment of a law mandating the government to provide free education and therapy to children with special needs.
“Isusulong ko po ang batas na tutugon sa inyong mga pangangailangan (I will push for measures that will address your needs),” Panelo said. (PNA)
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