TRAIN Law

Sen. Bam says economic managers are in denial on price crisis, need real-talk with poor Filipinos

Sen. Bam Aquino slammed the government’s pronouncement that the 6.4 percent inflation rate in August “is not alarming” and “quite normal in a fast growing economy.” 

The senator also insisted that economic managers talk to regular Filipinos living in poverty so they can gain a broader perspective on the effect of the high prices of goods. 

  “Hinding-hindi po normal na nalulunod na sa pagtaas ng presyo ang mga mahihirap,” said Sen. Bam, one of four senators who voted against the ratification of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law. 

“Kung lumabas po kayo ng opisina at makipag-usap sa mga kababayan natin sa mga komunidad, sa mga palengke, hindi niyo na maitatanggi na malaking problema itong taas presyo,” added Sen. Bam, who regularly consults with farmers, fishermen, tricycle and jeepney drivers, and market vendors to hear their views on the TRAIN Law and other important issues. 

In a recent trip to Tanauan, Batangas, Francisco Reyes, a tricycle driver, told Sen. Bam that the high price of gasoline has affected his daily income so much that he could not provide enough food and clothing for his family.  

  “Para mabawi namin ang gastos sa gasolina, dapat lima ang sakay namin bawat biyahe. Pero dahil apat lang ang kasya sa tricycle, lugi na agad ang pasada namin,” said Reyes. 

A vegetable vendor and senior citizen in Zamboanga also recently shared that even in her old age, she works everyday just to provide for her children and grandchildren and yet, with the sharp rise in prices, she has to borrow money to get by. 

 “Sa tanda kong ito, umuutang pa rin ako. Kahit ayaw na ng katawan ko, babangon at babangon pa rin ako para tulungan ang pamilya,” said Aling Diding Sada.

Instead of pointing fingers and debating on the matter, Sen. Bam said economic managers should squarely face the problems and look for practical solutions to address the problem. 

 Sen. Bam has filed Senate Bill No. 1798 or the Bawas Presyo Bill, which aims to suspend the excise tax on fuel under the TRAIN Law when the average inflation rate surpasses the annual inflation target over a three-month period. 

 Sen. Bam stressed the need to immediately enact the measure into law since there is a scheduled P2 additional excise tax on petroleum products under the TRAIN Law in January 2019. 

”Huwag niyo nang paabutin ng Pasko ang paghihirap ng sambayanang Pilipino. Ipasa na natin ang Bawas Presyo Bill sa lalong madaling panahon,” said Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam: Nasaan ang liderato sa isyu ng BP, Bigas at Presyo?

Sen. Bam Aquino called on the government to immediately address the issue of high BP or “Bigas at Presyo”, which currently affects millions of Filipinos, especially the poor.

“Mahalagang mabigyan na ito ng lunas dahil malaking isyu po ang BP o bigas at presyo. Kapag masyadong mataas ang BP, nanganganib ang kabuhayan natin. Pababain na ang BP,” said Sen. Bam, one of four senators who voted against the ratification of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law.

“Ang hinahanap natin, lalo na sa isyu ng bigas, ay leadership. Seryosohin sana ng pamahalaan ang pahirap na ito sa mga Pilipino,” added Sen. Bam.

 Sen. Bam said the leadership of National Food Authority (NFA), led by administrator Jason Aquino, has failed to ensure enough supply of affordable rice for the poor in the last two years.

“Sino ba ang lider na sosolusyunan ito? Nagmumukhang hindi talaga kaya ng NFA administrator natin na resolbahin ang kasalukuyang problema,” added Sen. Bam.

“Hindi maayos ang pamamalakad sa importation at distribution.  Magsisimula ang solusyon sa pagpalit ng liderato. Maghanap tayo ng mga taong kayang gawin ang trabaho nila,” said Sen. Bam.

Also, Sen. Bam renewed his call for the passage of his Senate Bill No. 1798 or the Bawas Presyo Bill to help lower the prices of goods and services.

Sen. Bam’s measure aims to suspend the excise tax on fuel under the TRAIN Law when the average inflation rate surpasses the annual inflation target over a three-month period.

Vice President Leni Robredo backed the passage of the measure while members of the minority in the House — Miro Quimbo, Jorge “Bolet” Banal, Jose Christopher Belmonte, Gabriel Bordado Jr., Raul Daza, Jocelyn Limkaichong, and Josephine Ramirez-Sato — have filed their own version of the bill.

Sen. Bam underscored the importance of the measure’s passage, saying there is a second tranche of excise tax increase on petroleum products under the TRAIN Law in January 2019.

VP Leni, House Minority throw support behind Sen. Bam’s Bawas Presyo Bill

Vice President Leni Robredo and members of the House minority have thrown their full support for the passage of Sen. Bam Aquino’s Bawas Presyo Bill to alleviate the burden of the Filipino people due to high prices of goods and services.
 
“Panahon na para umaksiyon at maghanap ng kongkretong solusyon sa mahal na presyo ng bilihin,” said Vice President Robredo during a press conference where she was joined by Sens. Aquino and Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan and Cong. Miro Quimbo and Kit Belmonte.
 
According to Vice President Robredo, it is high time for the government to suspend the excise tax on fuel under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law, which is being pushed under Sen. Bam’s Senate Bill No. 1798 or the Bawas Presyo Bill.
 
“I-suspend na ang probisyon ng TRAIN 1 ukol sa excise tax sa krudo at i-review ang anumang additional cash transfer,” said Vice President Robredo.
 
Quimbo, for his part, is set to file a counter-part measure of the Bawas Presyo Bill in the House of Representatives. 
 
“Kaya kami nagsama-sama upang iparating sa pamahalaan na ito ang urgent na ang problemang ito at kailangan ng mabilis na solusyon. Nalulunod na sa taas ng presyo ang mga Pilipino,” said Sen. Bam, one of four senators who voted against the ratification of the TRAIN Law.
 
Sen. Bam stressed that the measure will help ease the suffering of the Filipino people, especially the poor, from the high prices of goods and services brought by the TRAIN Law.
 
“May magagawa ang gobyerno para mapababa agad ang presyo ng bilihin. Nasa harap na ng ilong ng economic managers ang solusyon pero bakit ayaw nilang gawin?” Sen. Bam emphasized.
 
“Ang Bawas-Presyo Bill ay simpleng solusyon sa napakalaking problema ng pagtaas ng presyo ng bilihin,” added Sen. Bam.
 
Sen. Bam said his measure, if enacted into law, will immediately suspend and roll back the excise tax on fuel, meaning that prices of gasoline and diesel will go down by P2.65 and P2.50 per liter, respectively. The price of LPG will go down by one peso per kilo or P11 per 11-kilogram tank.
 
“Mapipigilan pa natin ang pagtaas ng excise tax sa Enero 2019 kung kikilos agad ang gobyerno para hindi na madagdagan pa ang paghihirap ng taumbayan,” said Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam to Malacañang: Prioritize, Certify Urgent the Bawas Presyo Bill

TANAUAN, Batangas — Representatives from different sectors here aired their grievance over the high prices of goods as they pushed for the immediate passage of Sen. Bam Aquino’s Bawas Presyo Bill into law. 

“Hindi man ito prayoridad ng gobyerno, certified urgent ito ng mga mahihirap na Pilipinong nalulunod na sa taas-presyo,” Sen. Bam said during the “Kumustahang Bayan” held at the Trading Post in Tanauan, Batangas. 

“Sana marinig ng pamahalaan ang hinaing ng ating mga kababayan at samahan tayo sa pagsusulong upang maisabatas na ang ating panukala, lalo na’t magtataas na naman ang excise tax sa petrolyo sa Enero dahil sa TRAIN Law,” added Sen. Bam 

During the dialogue, representatives from the farmers, senior citizens, tricycle drivers, market vendors, and fisherfolk sectors informed Sen. Bam how the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law has affected their livelihood. 

“Mataas ang kuha namin ng gulay, ngunit hindi namin ito puwedeng ibenta nang masyadong mahal dahil wala nang bibili sa amin,” said Lucile Mangaya, a vegetable vendor. 

“Marami na ang natitira sa aming paninda. Natutuyo at nabubulok na lang ang mga ito,” she added. 

Francisco Reyes, a tricycle driver, said the high price of gasoline has affected his daily income that prevented him from providing enough food and clothing for his family. 

“Para mabawi namin ang gastos sa gasolina, dapat lima ang sakay namin bawat biyahe. Pero dahil apat lang ang kasya sa tricycle, lugi na agad ang pasada namin,” said Reyes. 

Nick Chavez, president of the senior citizens’ organization in Tanauan, said they have yet to receive the additional P200 monthly financial assistance under the TRAIN Law. 

“Likas na matiisin ang mga Batangueño, kahit sa pagtaas ng presyo. Pero iba na talaga ang pagtaas ng presyo ngayon, hindi na po namin kaya,” said Chavez 

The representatives urged Sen. Bam to do everything he can to have his Senate Bill No. 1798 or the Bawas Presyo Bill enacted into law to ease the burden caused by high prices of goods. 

“Kailangang-kailangan nang maisabatas ang panukala ni Sen. Bam dahil hirap na hirap na po kami sa taas ng presyo ng bilihin,” said Marissa Gatdula, president of the Kalipunan ng Liping Pilipina (KALIPI). 

Sen. Bam, for his part, has committed to work for the passage of his measure, which aims to suspend the excise tax on fuel under the TRAIN Law when the average inflation rate surpasses the annual inflation target over a three-month period. 

If passed, the Bawas Presyo Bill will roll-back this year’s increase in the excise tax on petroleum and will suspend another scheduled increase in January 1, 2019. 

Sen. Bam is one of four senators who voted against the ratification of the TRAIN Law.

Sen. Bam on missing economic targets: Taumbayan ang kawawa tuwing pumapalpak ang gobyerno

As the economic managers keep missing targets, Filipino families continue to suffer, according to Sen. Bam Aquino.

“Tuwing sumasablay ang gobyerno, taumbayan ang natatamaan,” said Sen. Bam, who filed Senate Bill 1798 or Bawas Presyo Bill to suspend Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law’s excise tax on fuel. 

“Pag mali ang prediksiyon ng economic managers, taumbayan ang nalulunod sa taas-presyo. Pag palpak ang NFA Administrator, taumbayan ang nagugutom. Alalahanin sana ng mga lingkod bayan na ang mga Pilipino ang sasalo pag may kakulangan sa ating trabaho,” Sen. Bam added. 

Last year, the government released projections that inflation will be within two percent to four percent. It later revised this projection to four percent to 4.5 percent.

Presently, inflation stands at 5.7 percent. And in a recent Senate hearing, the Department of Finance admitted they did not study the indirect effects of the TRAIN Law.  The country’s GDP hit 6.8 percent in the first semester, short of the target of was 7-8 percent. 

Rather than working on other means to lower inflation, Sen. Bam said the government should support his measure that aims to suspend the excise tax on fuel under the TRAIN Law. 

“Solusyunan na natin itong taas-presyo. Simple lang, ipasa ang Bawas Presyo Bill at tanggalin na ang excise tax sa petrolyo,” urged Sen. Bam. 

Sen. Bam filed Senate Bill No. 1798 or the Bawas Presyo Bill, which seeks to suspend the excise tax on fuel under the TRAIN Law when the average inflation rate surpasses the annual inflation target over a three-month period  

Sen. Bam stressed that this should be certified urgent since there is a scheduled second round of increase in excise tax on fuel under the TRAIN Law in January 2019.

Sen. Bam: Sack and replace NFA Admin, first step to solve rice crisis

While Bawas Presyo Bill can help reduce price of rice, Sen. Bam Aquino insisted that the root cause of the rice crisis is gross mismanagement of the National Food Authority (NFA). 

“Makakatulong ang Bawas Presyo Bill sa pagpapababa ng presyo ng bilihin, pati ang bigas ngunit ang puno’t dulo ng krisis sa bigas ay ang kapalpakan ng NFA. Dapat nang palitan ng Pangulo ang namumuno sa kapalpakan na si NFA administrator,” said Sen. Bam, who recently filed Senate Resolution 868 with Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan to investigate the rice crisis in Zamboanga City. 

“Kung hindi tatanggalin sa puwesto si Jason Aquino, sana tamaan siya ng hiya at magbitiw na lang para umayos na ang takbo ng NFA at mabawasan ang nagugutom na pamilya sa bansa,” emphasized Sen. Bam, adding that the rice crisis will not be solved if the NFA administrator remains in his post. 

Sen. Bam slammed the NFA’s failure to provide poor Filipinos with enough supply of affordable rice despite the importation of around 500,000 metric tons of rice. 

“Hanggang ngayon, hindi pa rin maramdaman ang epekto ng ibinibida ng NFA na magkakaroon ng sapat na supply ng murang bigas sa merkado,” said Sen. Bam. 

Also, Sen. Bam said the NFA has yet to fulfil its promise that importation will lower the price of commercial rice in the market, stressing that the price of rice has increased for the eighth straight month, per a report by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). 

“Kung hindi nila magawa ang kanilang tungkulin, wala silang karapatang manatili pa sa puwesto ng kahit isang segundo,” said Sen. Bam, who recently filed Senate Bill No. 1798 or the Bawas Presyo Bill as means to lower the prices of goods in the market. 

Sen. Bam’s measure seeks to suspend the excise tax on fuel under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law when the average inflation rate surpasses the annual inflation target over a three-month period.

Sen. Bam: Admin, opposition should come together for Bawas Presyo Bill

Amid a fresh round of increase in fuel prices, Sen. Bam Aquino renewed his push for the passage of his measure to stop the excise tax on oil products under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law.

Sen. Bam insisted that the suspension and rollback of the excise tax on fuel would help alleviate the continuing rise in fuel prices and lower the prices of goods and services.

“Narito ang solusyon, aksyunan na natin. Kailangan magtulungan ang oposisyon at administrasyon para pababain ang presyo ng bilihin,” said Sen. Bam, one of four senators who voted against the ratification of the TRAIN Law.

The senator filed Senate Bill No. 1798 or the Bawas Presyo Bill, which seeks to suspend the excise tax on fuel under the TRAIN Law when the average inflation rate surpasses the annual inflation target over a three-month period.

Sen. Bam said there is a pressing need to enact his measure into law as there is a scheduled second round of increase in excise tax on fuel under the TRAIN Law in January 2019.

Sen. Bam said the woes on high prices of goods and services will continue if the government continues to ignore the plea of the Filipino people, especially the poor.

“Nalulunod na nga sa taas presyo ang mga mahihirap nating kababayan, ito na naman ang panibagong pagtaas ng presyo ng krudo,” said Sen. Bam.

“Huwag maging manhid sa paulit-ulit na daing ng mahihirap na pamilya. Hindi po masosolusyanan ang problemang ito kung hindi tayo magtutulungan,” the senator added.

Also, Sen. Bam renewed his call for the government to fully roll out the social mitigating measures under the TRAIN Law, including the unconditional cash transfer (UCT) program for poor Filipino families and the Pantawid Pasada Program, which aims to help jeepney operators and drivers cope with the increase in oil prices.

Sen. Bam: ‘Wag paikutin ang taumbayan sa pahamak ng TRAIN Law

Sen. Bam Aquino disputed the government’s pronouncement that there will be no jobs lost if the second package of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) will be enacted into law.

“Sa TRAIN 1, sinabi ng gobyerno na hindi ito makaaapekto sa pagtaas ng presyo. Ngayong TRAIN 2, sinasabi nilang walang mawawalang trabaho ang mawawala. May maniniwala pa ba sa kanila?,” Sen. Bam asked

“Huwag na po niyong paikutin ang taumbayan. Nalulunod na nga sa taas presyo dahil sa TRAIN 1, lolokohin nyo pa pagdating dito sa TRAIN 2,” added Sen. Bam, one of four senators who voted against the ratification of the first TRAIN Law package. 

Sen. Bam also doubted the government’s capacity to deliver on time the financial package proposed in the House version for workers who might be displaced once TRAIN 2 is enacted into law. 

“Malapit nang matapos ang 2018 pero hanggang ngayon, hindi pa rin nila naibibigay ang pangakong tulong sa ilalim ng TRAIN 1 habang nalulunod na sa taas ng presyo ng bilihin ang mahihirap na Pilipino,” said Sen. Bam, referring to the unconditional cash transfer program and the Pantawid Pasada Program.

In a separate interview in San Fernando, Pampanga, Sen. Bam said locators in the Clark Freeport Zone might be forced to close shops and move to other countries if TRAIN 2 is enacted into law, which will lead to loss of jobs for thousands of Filipinos.

“Marami sa industry associations ang nagsabi na kapag natuloy ang TRAIN 2, aalis sila at lilipat sa Indonesia, Thailand at Vietnam. Mahalaga ang trabaho ng bawat Pilipino at kailangan natin itong protektahan,” said Sen. Bam, who committed to fight provisions in TRAIN 2 that will affect the employment of thousands of Filipinos.

“Marami na ngang palpak ang TRAIN 1, itutulak pa rin ang TRAIN 2. Siguraduhin na muna nating napag-aralan na talaga ang epekto ng mga panukalang ito kundi baka mayroon nanamang masasagasaang mahihirap na Pilipino,” said Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam emphasized that the government should first address the problems caused by TRAIN 1, like its effects on inflation and prices of goods, before pushing for TRAIN 2.

Instead of insisting on the passage of TRAIN 2, Sen. Bam said the government should support his measure that aims to address the high prices of goods caused by TRAIN 1.

Sen. Bam has filed Senate Bill No. 1798 or the Bawas Presyo Bill, which seeks to suspend the excise tax on fuel under the TRAIN Law when the average inflation rate surpasses the annual inflation target over a three-month period.

The senator is pushing for the passage of the measure since there is a scheduled second round of increase in excise tax on fuel under the TRAIN Law in January 2019.

Sen. Bam: Tulungan, ‘wag pahirapan ang mga mangingisda

Sen. Bam Aquino stressed that the government should first help fishermen increase their catch and reduce their expenses instead of just importing “galunggong” to lower the prices of fish in the market.

“Sana tulungan din ng pamahalaan ang mga mangingisda na madagdagan ang kanilang huli at babaan ang kanilang gastos sa petrolyo,” said Sen. Bam, referring to the Department of Agriculture’s intention to import galunggong.

The senator said fishermen are overwhelmed with the high operational costs, with half of it going to fuel, based on a study by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

“Nalulunod ang mga kababayan nating mangingisda sa taas ng operational cost kaya bumababa ang kita nila,” said Sen. Bam, who is pushing for a subsidy or support program for fisherfolk, similar to the Pantawid Pasada Program for jeepney drivers, to help them cover the cost of fuel and inputs.

Sen. Bam insisted that the government should find other means to lower prices of goods and services that will not be detrimental to other sectors.

Instead of importation and lowering tariffs, Sen. Bam said the government should support his Senate Bill No. 1798 or the Bawas Presyo Bill, which seeks to suspend the excise tax on fuel under the TRAIN Law when the average inflation rate surpasses the annual inflation target over a three-month period.

Sen. Bam said the urgent passage of his measure is necessary since there is a scheduled second round of increase in excise tax on fuel under the TRAIN Law in January 2019.

“Kapag hindi naawat, panibagong bigat na naman ito para sa mga jeepney driver, tricycle driver at pati na rin sa mangingisda,” said Sen. Bam, one of four senators who voted against the ratification of the TRAIN Law.

Sen. Bam to gov’t: If fuel price is a major issue, support Bawas Presyo Bill

It is only logical for the administration to support his Bawas Presyo Bill after pointing to rising fuel prices as the reason for Filipinos’ perception that life worsened, according to a senator.

 “Ngayong umamin na ng gobyerno, siguro naman ay susuportahan na nila ang isinusulong nating panukala para sa suspindihin at i-rollback ang buwis sa petrolyo,” said Sen. Bam Aquino, referring to his Senate Bill No. 1798 or the Bawas Presyo Bill.

 “Aksyon at solusyon ang kailangan ng taumbayan, hindi debate at palusot. Ipasa na natin ang Bawas Presyo Bill para tulungan ang mga Pilipinong nalulunod na sa taas-presyo,” added Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam’s measure seeks to suspend the excise tax on fuel under the TRAIN Law when the average inflation rate surpasses the annual inflation target over a three-month period.

The senator made the pronouncement after Malacanang attributed the results of a latest survey showing more Filipinos believe their lives worsened during the second quarter of this year to rising fuel prices.

 In its June 2018 survey, the Social Weather Stations (SWS) said that 32 percent of adult Filipinos claimed their lives improved while 27 percent said their lives worsened for a net gainers score of +5. The result was 15 percent lower than the 20-percent net score in March 2018.

During Thursday’s Senate hearing on the effects of the TRAIN Law, Sen. Bam criticized the Department of Finance (DOF) for not taking into consideration the indirect effect of the tax reform program on inflation.

An official of the DOF admitted that its earlier claim during Senate deliberation that 0.4 percent effect of the TRAIN Law on inflation was based only on direct effect.

  “Ang hirap tanggapin na hindi nag-forecasting ang ating economic managers. Kabuhayan at kalagayan ng mga pamilyang Pilipino ang maaapektuhan sa pagtaas ng presyo ng langis dahil sa TRAIN Law,” said Sen. Bam, one of just four senators who voted against the ratification of the TRAIN Law.

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