Tulfo thanks supporters, humbled by survey rating

MANILA, Philippines — Broadcast Journalist Raffy Tulfo yesterday thanked his supporters for their continued trust in him.

Tulfo made the statement after being “humbled” by the people’s overwhelming support.

“I heartfully thank all of you for your continued trust in me. I owe it to all of you, for me continuously topping the Pulse Asia senatorial survey. I am humbled by your overwhelming support,” he said.

He underscored that he would not have reached what he had achieved at present without the support and trust of the people.

“I will not forget all of these. Once elected to the Senate, I will push for the rights and interests of the workers, overseas Filipino workers and other maltreated Filipinos. I will make sure that the law will be fair for the poor,” Tulfo said.

‘Strengthening barangays crucial’

Barangays are crucial to national recovery, according to senatorial aspirant Harry Roque Jr.

Roque yesterday urged barangay officials to join the UniTeam’s call to “move forward as a nation and recover as one from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the impending war in Eastern Europe.”

The former presidential spokesman stressed the barangay’s role as government frontliners in the nation-building and national recovery thrusts of the Duterte administration.

“We commend the barangay units for implementing government projects and programs such as the COVID-19 vaccination, health protocols and quarantine regulations on the ground,” he said.

He said he would pursue measures to strengthen the barangay, specifically its fiscal autonomy, and uplift the workers’ quality of life once he earns a Senate seat.

A former member of the House of Representatives, Roque vowed to refile bills like the Magna Carta for Barangays, Barangay Workers Incentives Act and Budget Reform Advocacy for Village Empowerment or BRAVE.

Roque, who advocates health and human rights, also said that barangay workers and residents would benefit from his legislative agenda on the right to life, health, work and social services for all Filipinos.

Not enough

Meanwhile, for re-electionist Sen. Risa Hontiveros, the fuel aid to be distributed under the Pantawid Pasada Program will not be enough to keep the transport system running, as she noted that the price hike in petroleum prices is seen to affect the sector for a prolonged period.

“The increase in the budget for Pantawid Pasada to cover more drivers is a step in the right direction, but it really does not go far enough. P6,500 will help make ends meet for drivers only for a little over a month, but this international energy crisis looks like it will last far longer than just a month. What will happen after a month?” Hontiveros said.

“Because the aid is not enough, the drivers will be forced to stop transporting. They will only lose out on the exhaustion of the passing day if the fuel consumes the income and they have almost nothing to take home to the family. This should not happen,” she added.

Hontiveros made the statement after the Department of Energy announced that it would double its budget for the program to P5 billion from the initial P2.5 billion to cushion the soaring fuel prices.

“A more serious solution is needed, not only to keep the drivers and operators who operate our transport system profitable, but also to make fares affordable,” she said.

She added that the big necessary step is an expanded service-contracting program that will not just run for a month or two, but for years.

Service-contracting, according to Hontiveros, will ensure that drivers and operators get their due in exchange for reliable and affordable services for the riding public – even if the government does not grant them a large enough fare adjustment in the face of extraordinary fuel prices.

“We have always seen service-contracting as a win-win solution not only for drivers who are at risk of bankruptcy, but also for commuters to have comfort and not having to line up long before boarding,” she added.

Hontiveros also emphasized that should the excise tax on fuels not be removed, its revenues should immediately be earmarked to improve the public transport system, beginning with the service-contracting program. – Cecille Suerte Felipe