By Genalyn D. Kabiling
The government will distribute cash subsidies to poor families and fuel vouchers to public utility jeepney drivers starting next month to cushion the impact of the new tax reform law, Malacañang said yesterday.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said at least P10 billion would be allocated for the government’s unconditional cash transfer program that will benefit 10 million poorest families.
Roque said government has yet to finalize the total amount for the Pantawid Pasada Program but was considering giving away P5,000 worth of fuel vouchers to jeepney drivers.
The financial assistance package prepared by the Departments of Social Welfare and Development and Transportation for sectors affected by the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act was discussed during President Duterte’s meeting with the Cabinet last Monday.
“Nagkaroon po ng anunsiyo ang DSWD at saka DoTr tungkol ito po doon sa mga hakbang na ginagawa natin para maibsan iyong epekto ng TRAIN,” Roque said in a Palace press briefing.
“At ang sabi po ng DSWD, ‘yung unconditional cash transfer para po sa sampung milyong pinakamahihirap na mga Pilipino ay mabibigay nang buong-buo by July of this year. Mayroon pong sampung bilyong piso ang ipamimigay natin sa mga pinakamahihirap na ating mga kababayan para nga maibsan ang epekto ng TRAIN sa kanila,” he added.
“Sa Pantawid Pasada program ng DoTr, nagkaroon po ng anunsiyo si Secretary Tugade na magsisimula na po ang pamimigay noong mga jeepney vouchers sa mga may-ari ng mga PUJ at ito po’y magsisimula itong Hulyo,” he said. “Now, hindi pa po pinal iyong halaga ng voucher pero mahigit kumulang po limang libong piso po kada owner ng jeepney ang maibibigay,” he said.
Roque said the funds for the fuel vouchers would depend on the revenues collected from TRAIN.
He said the government was also in the process of determining the real beneficiaries of the fuel subsidy program.
“Pinaplantsa na lang po, eh para maiwasan iyong karanasan natin noong nakalipas na administrasyon na pati iyong mga walang prangkisa at saka iyong mga hindi nagmamay-ari ng PUJ ay nabigyan ng subsidy,” he said.
