A LEGISLATOR on Tuesday asked the Transport department to release about P4.6 billion allocated to transport workers under the service contracting program funded by an expiring stimulus law.
“The service has already been obligated. Filipino workers are clearly in need of more public transport options. The funds are available, although expiring soon. We have to release these funds without delay,” House Ways and Means Chair Jose Maria Clemente S. Salceda said in a statement.
Citing the Land Transportation, Franchising and Regulatory Board, Mr. Salceda said only P1 billion of the P5.5-billion program has been distributed to service contractors more than nine months since Republic Act No. 11494 or the Bayanihan To Recover As One Act (Bayanihan II) was signed. The law expires on June 30.
Mr. Salceda said paying service contractors might become more complicated “due to the expiry of Bayanihan II.”
“Bayanihan II is expiring on June 30. We have to reauthorize the appropriations under the package, or else, we won’t be authorized by any law to pay the service contractors,” the Albay representative said.
Mr. Salceda earlier called for an extension of Bayanihan II through a memorandum sent to the House leadership.
Palace spokesman Herminio L. Roque, Jr. earlier said over P18 billion from the second stimulus law remains unused. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza