Direct food, fuel subsidies to continue

The Philippine government said in March that the it plans to continue direct food and fuel subsidies to the poor. The subsidy program will be in its second year, as a project just like it was implemented in 2008, when funds were given away from the windfall petroleum product tax collections.The government will continue to extend subsidies on food, fuel for the transport sector and rice, Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said. The subsidies included Php500 (US$10.46) as electric bill subsidies for poor households, Php500 (US$10.46) for senior citizens who are not members of any pension fund, education vouchers, livelihood for wives of jeepney drivers and fuel and petroleum product discounts for tricycle drivers. (March 26, 2009)