Senator Risa says amendments needed first

CEBU, Philippines — Being the only one out of 22 current senators that did not sign the Senate Resolution that seeks to temporarily stop the implementation of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP), Senator Risa Hontiveros stressed that she’s not against it but just hopes a few things will be amended first.

In a press conference in Cebu yesterday, Senator Hontiveros explained that it is primarily the welfare of the drivers and operators that she wants to protect as one of the reasons she did not sign Senate Resolution 1096.

The resolution aims to temporarily stop the Public Transport Modernization Program formerly known as the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program.

Hontiveros said that although she agrees with the said resolution, she wants amendments that would address her two concerns.

“Actually, nahuli lang ako pumirma sa reso. Pero kinausap ko na si Chair Raffy, na sa period of interpellation and amendments, meron lang akong gustong i-raise na mga tanong, at i-propose na amendments,” she said.

“Pipirmahan ko rin yung resolution para sa temporary suspension. Kasi gusto ko rin munang ipasok yung amyenda,” added Hontiveros.

She explained that the majority of transport drivers and operators are already following the transport modernization program.

If it will be stopped, Hontiveros said it will be a disadvantage to the drivers and operators who were only complying with the requirements of the government.

“Significant majority nila, more than 80 percent noh? Pumasok na sila sa programa, nag-apply na sila sa loan sa banko, simulan na nilang i-dismantle yung mga lumang jeepney nila. Huwag naman silang madehado, di ba? Kasi sumunod na sila eh, pumasok na sila at nagsimula na silang mag-comply,” she said, stressing that its the first amendment she is proposing.

“Pangalawa, yung gusto kong ipasok na amyenda ay na mapabuti din yung riding experience, mas active transport sana para sa mga pasahero naman natin. So, ipu-put on record ko yun, ipo-propose ko yung amendments, hopeful ako na tatanggapin ni Chair Raffy. Pipirmahan ko rin naman yung resolution ko yun, basta may ganung mga improvements,” Hontiveros added.

Meanwhile, Hontiveros criticized the new food poverty threshold disclosed by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) of P9,581 per month for a family of five or P64 per person per day.

Hontiveros said the threshold is "insulting and saddening."

The food threshold refers to the required minimum income of a family or individual to meet the basic food needs and for a person not to be considered “food poor.”

But Hontiveros said there should be a more realistic data on how much Filipinos need each day to have proper nutrition, eat healthy meals, and live humanely.

Bayan Muna-Central Visayas chairperson Jaime Paglinawan also said the new threshold is unrealistic.

“The outrageous 64 pesos minimum food cost to escape the “food-poor” classification will undoubtedly be used as further justification by the pro-capitalist elements in the government wage board to stagnate the already low income of workers in the private sector,” Pangilinan said in a statement.

The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan - Central Visayas has challenged the public officials from the NEDA, the Department of Health, and the Food and Nutrition Research Institute to sustain themselves on a meager budget of P21.30 per meal or P64 daily.

“We are willing to join them on this challenge to see if they can have a balanced and nutritious diet from this measly amount,” Paglinawan added. — (FREEMAN)