On rice subsidy to Habalhabal drivers alcover demands transparency

CEBU, Philippines — The guidelines on the distribution of rice subsidy to motorcycle-for-hire and Angkas drivers in Cebu City should be presented to show transparency, said an opposition councilor yesterday.

Councilor Pastor Alcover, Jr., in a privilege speech, questioned the distribution of rice subsidy without clear guidelines who are the beneficiaries.

“Daghan man gud ang nadawat natong mga tawag og nganong ang ubang habalhabal drivers wala makadawat. Wala ko makatubag kay wala koy idea kon unsay procedure, unsay sistima, kinsay mo-recognize sa habalhabal maong akong gihimo ang privilege speech to erase doubts,” Alcover told his colleagues in the City Council.

(There were several calls asking why other habalhabal drivers did not receive. I could not answer because I have no idea about the procedure, the system, and who recognizes habalhabal drivers so I delivered a privilege speech to erase doubts)

The city government started on Saturday the distribution of rice subsidy to qualified habalhabal and Angkas drivers.

The assistance was to alleviate the effects of the Supreme Court decision last year that prohibited the operations of habalhabal and Angkas in the country. The city has appropriated P15 million for the assistance and has procured 6,000 kilos of rice.

As of yesterday, Assistant City Administrator Annabeth Cuizon said the city has released over 1,400 sacks of rice to qualified beneficiaries. She said there are five requirements before a habalhabal driver can qualify-- accomplished profile sheet; Commission on Elections Identification Card; proof of possession that they own the motorcycle; certification that the driver is indigent; and membership in any habalhabal association.

Alcover, for his part, said the list of the beneficiaries of the assistance from the city and its guidelines should be given to the City Council so they can also answer queries from other constituents.

“Transparency does not erase the doubts coming from people but it lessens the doubts. As a matter of public opinion, the government is always presumed to be guilty of corruption. That is why transparency is always an imperative of governance,” he said.

According to the Executive Order issued by Mayor Tomas Osmeña, drivers can still claim their sack of rice within 15 days from the distribution date. — FPL (FREEMAN)