Month: June 2018

Sen. Bam supports VAT reduction to ease burden of price surge, TRAIN Law

Senator Bam Aquino expressed support behind the move to reduce value-added tax (VAT) to 10 percent, saying it will help ease the burden of high prices of goods and services on Filipinos, especially the poor.

“Suportado natin ang pagbaba sa VAT at mga panukalang magbibigay ginhawa sa mga pamilyang nalulunod na sa pagtaas ng presyo. Mahalagang aksyunan na natin ito,” said Sen. Bam, one of four senators who voted against the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law.

While he supports the move, Sen. Bam promises to ensure that the exemptions under the VAT will remain, including those given to cooperatives, senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs).

“Kailangan nang isalba ang mga Pilipinong nasagasaan ng TRAIN law. Kung ang pagbaba ng VAT uunahin ng Senado, susuportahan natin ito,” said Sen. Bam.

In the Senate, Sen. Panfilo Lacson and Risa Hontiveros have been pushing for the lowering of VAT.

“Patuloy rin naming ilalaban ang pag-preno sa TRAIN at pag-roll-back ng excise tax. Kailangan gawin ang lahat ng ating makakaya upang tulungan ang mga pamilyang hirap na hirap na,” Sen. Bam added.

As part of his efforts to ease the burden of the TRAIN Law on Filipinos, Sen. Bam has filed a measure seeking to suspend the collection of the excise tax under the government’s tax reform program once the average inflation rate surpasses the annual inflation target over a three-month period.

In addition, Sen. Bam is pushing for the full implementation of mitigating measures under the TRAIN Law, such as the unconditional cash transfer program for poor families and the Pantawid Pasada for jeepney operators and drivers.

Sen. Bam has also filed a resolution calling for an investigation regarding the implementation of the unconditional cash transfer to ensure if the amount is still sufficient to cover the increase in prices of goods and other services.

Sen. Bam on the mounting issues with China

China continues to harass our fishermen, militarize our seas and threaten our sovereignty.
 
If Malacañang will not side with the Filipino people on this issue, then the Senate can take the lead in defending our country.
 
A strong and independent Senate can and should investigate all our dealings with China, especially when the rights and livelihood of our countrymen are at risk. 
 
If continued, this defeatist mentality will just lead to even more abuses.

Sen. Bam Aquino: Tama na, sobra na ang pagdadahilan sa taas-presyo

Instead of making excuses and misleading statements, Senator Bam Aquino called on the government to extend immediate assistance to Filipinos by finding solutions to the rising prices of goods and services due to the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law.

 “Huwag na nating paikutin ang mamamayan para ipagtanggol ang TRAIN Law,” said Sen. Bam, one of four senators who voted against the government’s tax reform program.

“Tama na, sobra na ang pagpapahirap sa Pilipino. Labanan at solusyunan na lang ang pagtaas ng presyo,” added Sen. Bam.

 Sen. Bam was referring to a GMA News report, where the National Economic Development Authority said that a family of five can survive on P10,000 a month, or P127 daily for food.

“Marami na ngang nasagasaan at nalulunod na sa pagtaas ng presyo, huwag na bilugin ang mga Pilipino. Tama na ang mga palusot, tulungan na lang natin ang mga pamilyang nahihirapan,” added Sen. Bam.

 “Hindi na nga makahinga ang mga Pilipino sa sikip ng sinturon, binibilog at niloloko pa natin ang mga tao para lang maidepensa ang minadali nilang Train Law,” added Sen. Bam.

As part of his push to ease the burden on the public, Sen. Bam has filed a measure seeking to roll back the excise tax on fuel under the TRAIN Law when average inflation rate surpasses the annual inflation target over a three-month period.

In a separate resolution, Sen. Bam also sought the review of the unconditional cash transfer program under the TRAIN Law. Six months after the implementation of the TRAIN Law, the government has yet to fully roll out the unconditional cash transfer program.

Sen. Bam also pushed for the full implementation of the Pantawid Pasada program, which aims to help jeepney operators and drivers cope with the increase in price of diesel fuel.

Sen. Bam: Pati pag-aaral ng kabataan nasagasaan ng TRAIN

Senator Bam Aquino expressed fear that high prices of goods and services due to the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law might force poor families to sacrifice the education of their children.

“Dahil sa pagtaas ng presyo, maraming mahihihirap na estudyante ang maaaring hindi na makapag-aral,” said Sen. Bam, one of our senators who voted against the TRAIN Law.

“Tumaas na ang cost of living pero hindi pa rin nadadagdagan ang kita ng mga manggagawa. Dahil kulang na ang suweldo, maaaring masakripisyo na ang pag-aaral ng mahihirap na estudyante,” added Sen. Bam.

“Ilang kabataan kaya ngayon ang di na nakapag-enroll dahil hirap ang mga magulang sa pagtustos ng mga gastusin dahil sa pagtaas ng presyo ng mga bilihin,” the senator queried.

Due to the high prices of goods and services, Sen. Bam said the value of government’s assistance programs, such as the Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program (4Ps) and the free college education, to the poor has eroded.

“Hindi na sapat ang tulong ng 4Ps para matugunan ang pangangailangan ng mahihirap na Pilipino. Buti na lang at may libreng kolehiyo na,” said Sen. Bam, the principal sponsor of the free college law in the Senate.

Aside from filing a resolution seeking to review the unconditional cash transfer program under the TRAIN Law, Sen. Bam has filed a measure seeking to roll back TRAIN’s excise tax on fuel when average inflation rate surpasses the annual inflation target over a three-month period.

Also, Sen. Bam also renewed his call for the full implementation of the unconditional cash transfer program, which will help alleviate the increase in high prices of goods and services caused by the TRAIN Law.

During a Senate hearing on the TRAIN Law in Legazpi City, Sen. Bam also pushed for the full implementation of the Pantawid Pasada program, which aims to help jeepney operators and drivers cope with the increase in price of diesel fuel.

Also, Sen. Bam wants the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to expand the Pantawid Pasada to other means of transportation, such as UV Express, tricycles and to fishermen as well.

Sen. Bam wants Pantawid Pasada implemented ASAP, include other means of transportation

Like the unconditional cash transfer (UCT) program under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law, Sen. Bam Aquino said the government has failed to immediately implement the Pantawid Pasada program that aims to help the transport sector cope with the increase in price of diesel fuel.

“Gaya nang nangyari sa UCT, hindi agad naipatupad ang programang ito kahit sinimulan na ang pangongolekta ng excise tax sa ilalim ng TRAIN Law,” said Sen. Bam during the hearing of the Senate committee on public services in Legazpi, Albay on the effects of the TRAIN Law

“Patunay lang ito na hindi sila handa at hinayaan munang magdusa ang taumbayan sa mataas na presyo ng bilihin bago kumilos,” added Sen. Bam, one of four senators who voted against the TRAIN Law.

Sen. Bam said that aside from its immediate implementation, he wants the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to expand it to other means of transportation, such as UV Express, tricycles and to fishermen as well.

“Kailangan ding tingnan ang ibang transport groups, tulad ng ating UV Express at tricycle. Hindi rin covered ang ating mga mangingisda na apektado rin dahil gumagamit sila ng diesel,” said Sen. Bam.

Also, Sen. Bam called on the DOTr to conduct further study to see if the subsidy is enough to cover the increase in prices of goods due to TRAIN.

“Kung tutulong na rin lang tayo, magbigay na tayo ng tulong na makakasapat sa kanilang pangangailangan para hindi na sila humingi ng dagdag sa pasahe,” said Sen. Bam.

For 2018, the government has earmarked P977 million for 179,000 jeepney operators under the Pantawid Pasada program.

During the hearing, Sen. Bam also batted for the passage of his measure that aims to roll back of TRAIN’s excise tax on fuel when average inflation rate surpasses the annual inflation target over a three-month period.

In addition, Sen. Bam also renewed his call for the full implementation of the unconditional cash transfer program, which will help alleviate the increase in high prices of goods and services caused by the TRAIN Law.

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