And recently, the situation has even taken a tragic turn as a news report recounted how a transport network vehicle services (TNVS) rider collapsed and died of a heart attack while waiting in line for the subsidy. Whether the long wait was the culprit, the episode underscores the human cost of a poorly designed system.
Even more troubling are alleged reports of so-called facilitation fees being asked by some unscrupulous people manning the ‘dole-out’ centers. The driver we interviewed told us that he was quietly informed that his processing could move faster if he agreed to a ₱200 deduction. Others reportedly paid as much as ₱500, fearing they might have to return another day if their paperwork was delayed.
If these accounts are true, the subsidy program has unintentionally created a system where assistance leaks before it reaches the intended beneficiaries. And considering the number of beneficiaries running in the hundreds of thousands across the country, we’re talking about facilitation fees maybe reaching millions of pesos.
This time, we witness the mindset of our government people—not really helping but taking advantage of a situation where they can generate monetary opportunities for themselves.
So we ask, is this the kind of public servants we have?
FOR your comments or suggestions, complaints or requests, just send a message through my email at cipcab2006@yahoo.com or text me at cellphone numbers 09171656792 or 09171592256 during office hours from Monday to Friday. Thank you and mabuhay!