LESS THAN 1% UTILIZED FOR SERVICE CONTRACTING

Pangilinan wants validity of Bayanihan 2 funds extended

A lawmaker proposed to extend the validity of the appropriations under the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act until the end of the year, citing billions of unutilized funds with only one month left.

In a statement on Sunday, Senator Francis Pangilinan said Bayanihan 2 should be made valid for another six months until December 21, 2021.

The measure is set to expire on June 30, 2021. It was already extended

Citing a report by the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Pangilinan said that only P40 million has been utilized for the agency's service contracting program.

This is less than 1% of the total P5.8 billion for the program which aims to assist public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.

"May perang nilaan ang Kongreso para sa ating mga jeepney drivers tapos nakikita natin silang namamalimos sa kalye. Mali 'yan. Gamitin na ang pondong nilaan para sa kanila," he said.

(Congress allocated funds for our jeepney drivers and then we see them begging in the streets. This is wrong. Use the funds for them.)

This comes as drivers and conductors of PUVs have resorted to begging in buses, as passengers would rather avail of the free transportation for authorized persons outside of residence (APOR).

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade has since called on all agencies under the DOTr to coordinate and make employment opportunities available for drivers and conductors who have resorted to begging.

Under the program, the DOTr hires drivers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic for some P6,500 which they may use to pay for debts, fuel, and other operational and maintenance expenses or to purchase safety equipment, supplies, and facilities.

"Para sa kanila ang pera, kailangang makaabot sa kanila nang may makain at pang-tustos ang pamilya," said Pangilinan.

(The funds are for them. It needs to reach them to provide for their families.) — DVM, GMA News