Press Release
July 13, 2018

Sen. Bam: Itodo na ang tulong sa transport sector

Senator Bam Aquino lamented the government's insufficient and late support for the transport sector, saying the Pantawid Pasada Program should be reviewed if it's enough to cover the increase in fuel prices and other needs of jeepney drivers.

"Atrasado na nga ang tulong, kulang pa ang ibibigay ng gobyerno sa mga tsuper ng pampasaherong jeep," said Sen. Bam, referring to the July implementation of the Pantawid Pasada Program, a mitigating measure under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law. Under the Pantawid Pasada Program, a total of P5,000 will be given to jeepney drivers for the last six months of 2018. This will mean an additional P833 per month or P27.7 per day.

"Kung kukuwentahin, wala pang isang litro ng diesel ang tulong na binibigay sa ating mga jeepney driver. Kulang na kulang ito sa taas ng presyo ng bilihin," added Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam urged the government to ensure that the Pantawid Pasada Program is sufficient to cover the rise in fuel prices and allow jeepney drivers to use it for other needs, such as food.

The senator also reiterated his call to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to expand the Pantawid Pasada Program to other modes of public transportations such as tricycles and UV express.

"Kung tutulong na rin lang tayo, bakit hindi pa natin lubus-lubusin at isama ang mga nagmamaneho ng tricycle at UV Express," suggested Sen. Bam, one of four senators who voted against the ratification of the TRAIN Law.

Sen. Bam has been pushing for the suspension and rollback of the excise tax on petroleum products under the TRAIN Law to help lower the prices of fuel and goods at the same time.

Sen. Bam has filed a measure seeking to stop and rollback the excise tax on fuel when average inflation rate surpasses the annual inflation target over a three-month period.

"Suportahan na rin sana ng administrasyong and pag-roll-back sa excise tax sa petrolyo at siguraduhing sususpindihin ang dagdag na buwis sa petrolyo sa 2019 dahil sa TRAIN," stressed Sen. Bam.

"Nalulunod na sa taas presyo ang mga drayber. Nababawasan na nga ang kita, tumataas pa ang presyo ng bilihin," he added.

Sen. Bam has been meeting with different transport organizations all over the country to get their stand on the TRAIN Law.

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