MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has granted the request of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to exempt LTFRB programs intended to cushion the effects of soaring fuel prices.
Acting LTFRB Chairman Greg Pua Jr. said exempted from the Comelec spending ban are the service contracting, Love Bus, free rides and fuel subsidy programs as well as the P12-per-liter fuel discount for public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers.
Also covered by the exemption from the Nov. 2 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections is the public transport modernization program (PTMP), including the three-month aid for the monthly amortization and operational expenses of PUV operators.
The service contracting program provides support based on actual and validated transport services rendered while the fuel subsidy aids qualified PUV operators and drivers to mitigate higher fuel costs and sustain operations.
The PTMP aims to modernize and improve public transportation.
Comelec Chairman George Garcia approved the recommendation of the poll body’s law department to exempt the LTFRB subsidy programs from the spending ban.
A certificate of exemption is needed to implement social welfare projects and services during the ban, according to a Comelec resolution.
“On behalf of the PUV operators and commuters, the LTFRB expresses its gratitude to the Comelec chairman for understanding the concerns we raised,” Pua said. “This only proved the same direction that we want to pursue: to maximize all the necessary assistance to the Filipino people at a time when they needed the government the most.”
Pua committed to strictly observe all the conditions set by the Comelec for granting the poll exemption ban on the major programs of the LTFRB.
Among the conditions is that no election candidate should be directly involved in the implementation of the LTFRB programs.
The agency was also ordered to submit a periodic written report of the disbursements made in relation to the programs exempted.
“The exemption is a big relief for the beneficiaries of the subsidy programs, especially at this time that they are really in need of government assistance,” Pua said. “We assure the Comelec of the LTFRB’s compliance with the conditions set.”