Senior Citizens Party-list Rep. Rodolfo "Ompong" Ordanes called for an urgent review of the government’s aid distribution system following the death of a motorcycle taxi rider who collapsed while lining up for fuel assistance, describing the incident as a “wake-up call” for authorities.

Ordanes said the tragedy highlights systemic flaws in how assistance is delivered, stressing that no Filipino should have to endure long, unsafe queues—especially vulnerable sectors such as senior citizens—just to receive government aid.

He noted that many elderly beneficiaries are forced to wait for extended periods under difficult conditions, putting their health and safety at risk. The lawmaker emphasized that the current setup lacks both efficiency and dignity for recipients.

Instead of relying heavily on direct aid distribution, Ordanes proposed exploring alternative measures such as a 90-day suspension of value-added tax (VAT) to provide broader and more immediate relief to the public.

While acknowledging that a VAT suspension could result in billions in lost government revenue, he said policymakers must also consider the hidden costs of the existing system, including administrative expenses, potential leakages, and productivity losses due to long queues.

Ordanes appealed to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to study the proposal, emphasizing the need for a more humane, efficient, and accessible approach to delivering assistance to Filipinos.