CH rice subsidy Alcover: Release list of beneficiaries

CEBU, Philippines — For the second time, the Cebu City Council is asking the Office of the Mayor to furnish the body the list of all habalhabal and Angkas drivers who received rice subsidy from the city government.

Councilor Pastor Alcover, Jr. delivered another privilege speech raising the concerns of other habalhabal drivers who did not receive the benefit.

“That is why we request the list as a sign of transparency. Transparency does not erase doubts coming from the people but it lessens that doubt. Hence, transparency is always an imperative in good governance,” Alcover said.

Alcover said he is hoping the council will get the list before the May 13 elections. 

It was the second time Alcover delivered a privilege speech on the matter. He said that while he already received the basis for the identified beneficiaries, the Two-wheeled Motor Vehicle Monitoring, Coordination and Assistance Unit (TMV-MCAU) has yet to encode the names of the drivers.

“Pila man diay ka buwan mahuman og encode aning listahan? Ing-ana na lang ba gyud kadugay? Kapin sa duha ka bulan na nga nakalabay ug hangtod karon, wala pay nahatag nga lista,” Alcover said. (How many months would it take for them to encode? Is it really that long? It has been more than two months and still there is no list)

Alcover said the executive department should have already provided the initial list of beneficiaries by now even if the distribution is still on going.

According to Alcover, several habalhabal drivers have expressed doubts and disappointment over the program because they were not included.

The city government decided to give rice assistance to habalhabal drivers after the Supreme Court decision last year prohibiting their operations nationwide. 

The city appropriated P15 million for the assistance and has procured 6,000 kilos of rice.

There are five requirements before a habalhabal driver can qualify and get the sack of rice from the city. These include an 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.—  FPL (FREEMAN)