A lawmaker is calling for a more efficient and transparent system of subsidy distribution following mounting complaints over irregularities in the government’s ayuda programs, particularly in light of ongoing tensions in the Middle East that continue to impact fuel prices.
Murang Kuryente Party-list Representative and former Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap urged the government to revisit its current subsidy mechanisms, citing firsthand observations and reports of misallocation.
During a recent trip using a transport network vehicle service (TNVS), Yap learned that fuel subsidies had reportedly been released under the names of deceased beneficiaries, while active drivers received none.
“These discrepancies highlight systemic flaws in how subsidies are verified and distributed,” Yap said. “We need to adopt a system that minimizes human intervention and ensures that aid reaches the intended recipients efficiently.”
Yap reiterated his longstanding proposal to shift toward direct subsidies through electric billing deductions, which he said would significantly reduce opportunities for corruption and streamline the process.
As an alternative, he also proposed direct deposits to beneficiaries’ accounts to further enhance transparency and accountability.
The lawmaker also pointed to recent reports of a man who died of a heart attack while waiting in line for subsidy distribution, possibly exacerbated by extreme summer heat.
Yap emphasized that such incidents could have been prevented under a more efficient system.
“Long lines and hours of waiting not only expose our people to unnecessary risks—they also undermine their dignity and disregard the value of their time,” he said.
Yap called on relevant agencies to urgently review and reform current subsidy methods to ensure that assistance is delivered promptly, accurately, and humanely.