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Comelec expediting resolution exempting fuel subsidy from election ban
Amid the continuous increase in domestic pump prices, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) over the weekend said it was fast-tracking the release of the resolution exempting the government’s fuel subsidy program from the election spending ban.
According to Comelec Commissioner George Garcia, the program is already exempted, but banks are requiring the resolution signed by all commissioners before it could be implemented.
“Tinanggap po ng ahensya na magpapatupad po nitong fuel subsidy, mukhang dito po sila nagkakaproblema sa bangko po, at ‘yung bangko po ang nagre-require ngayon na mismong gusto nila may desisyon, may resolusyon na may pirmado ng lahat ng commissioners,” he said in a report on GMA’s “24 Oras Weekend” on Sunday.
“Bukas na bukas po, ino-obliga ko po, kahapon pa po, ‘yung ating Comelec Secretary na kung kanino man naka-pending pa ‘yan, baka pupuwedeng pa-follow up na,” he added.
[The implementing agency already accepted that the fuel subsidy will push through, but there are difficulties with the banks which require the decision, the resolution signed by all the commissioners.
Tomorrow… I am requiring the Comelec Secretary, as soon as yesterday, to follow up to whomever it is still pending.]
The Comelec earlier this month exempted the fuel subsidy program
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Under Comelec’s Resolution 10747, activities and programs and social welfare projects and services will have to secure a certificate of exemption to be able to push through.
The government in February allocated an initial P2.5 billion to provide fuel vouchers for some 377,000 qualified public utility vehicle drivers across the country, amid the successive pump price hikes.
The Department of Energy (DOE) expects another price hike this week, with industry sources projecting diesel to increase by between P4.20 to P4.40 per liter, and gasoline by P3.10 to P3.30 per liter.
The latest data available from the Department of Energy (DOE) indicate that year-to-date adjustments stand at a net increase of P15.00 per liter for gasoline, P25.65 per liter for diesel, and P21.10 per liter for kerosene. — Jon Viktor Cabuenas/DVM, GMA News