Consumer Protection

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.

Sen. Bam: Bawas Presyo Bill, certified urgent by Filipinos

Filipino families, especially the poor, are pushing for the immediate passage of the “Bawas Presyo Bill”, saying the measure can help alleviate their suffering from high prices of goods due to the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law.

“Kung ayaw man ito pansinin ng administrasyon, ang taumbayan na ang nagsasabi na certified urgent ang Bawas Presyo Bill. Hindi na raw sila makahinga sa taas ng presyo. Kahit anong kayod, hindi na makaahon ang mga pamilya,” said Sen. Bam Aquino, referring to his Senate Bill No. 1798.

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.

“Nasa harap na natin ang solusyon pero ayaw tumbukin ng economic managers ng gobyerno,” said Sen. Bam.

According to Sen. Bam, he has been receiving the same complaint from Filipino families about the burden of high prices of goods and services during his consultations with various sectors in different parts of the country.

“Tuwing bumibisita ako sa mga komunidad sinasabi ng ating mga kababayan na nalulunod na sila sa mataas na presyo ng bilihin,” said Sen. Bam, one of four senators who voted against the ratification of the TRAIN Law.

“Ang sabi ni Mang Siming na tricycle driver sa Isabela, ang mga suki niya dati, naglalakad na lang kahit tirik ang araw para makatipid. Kumokonti ang kaniyang kita, tumataas pa ang presyo ng gasolina,” said Sen. Bam.

“Si Mang Mike naman, na magsasaka at may dalawang anak sa high school at dalawa sa kolehiyo, nababawasan na ang binibigay na baon at pamasahe sa kanila araw-araw,” added Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam stressed that the “Bawas Presyo Bill” could alleviate the plight of poor Filipino families, jeepney and tricycle drivers, farmers and fishermen.

“Sa Bawas Presyo Bill, bababa ang presyo ng diesel, gasoline at kerosene para mabigyan ng ginhawa ang mga Pilipino sa taas-presyo,” said Sen. Bam, adding that the government should address the rising inflation by supporting the passage of his measure.

Sen. Bam said the immediate passage of the measure is vital since the second round of increase in excise tax on fuel under the TRAIN Law will take effect in January 2019.

Sen. Bam to economic managers: Protektahan ang magsasaka’t mangingisda, suportahan ang ‘Bawas Presyo Bill’

The government must consider the welfare of farmers and fishermen when they tackle the proposed lower tariffs for meat, fish and rice, Sen. Bam Aquino insisted.

“Lowering the tariffs will lower the price. Pero sa pagbaba ng presyo ng imported, ang ating magsasaka at mangingisda naman ang masasagasaan,” said Sen. Bam during the briefing on the proposed 2019 National Expenditure Program.

“Kailangan natin protektahan ang mga Pilipinong nalulunod na sa taas-presyo,” Sen. Bam told National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) director-general Ernesto Pernia, who assured the senator that there will be consultations with the sectors regarding the matter.

Sen. Bam also asked the government’s economic managers to ensure that mitigating measures are in place for millions of farmers before implementing rice tariffication.

“Rice tariffication will have a detrimental effect to 3.5 million Filipino rice farmers. Bago pa ito ipatupad, dapat nakahanda na ang tulong sa ating magsasaka,” said Sen. Bam, who said the delays in mitigating measures convinced him to vote “No” to the TRAIN Law.

The government plans to allot P10 billion in assistance to farmers to improve irrigation, establish small water impounding systems and provide them with better seeds and equipment.

Sen. Bam also urged economic managers to consider his “Bawas Presyo Bill” as a means to address the unprecedented inflation rate.

“My bill will institute a safeguard to allow us to rollback and suspend the excise tax on petroleum products,” said Sen. Bam, referring to Senate Bill No. 1798.

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.

“We need this safeguard before January. Kung hindi ipasa ang ‘Bawas Presyo Bill’, mamimilipit tayo sa paghahanap ng legal na paraan para pigilan ang pagtaas ng excise tax sa Enero,” said Sen. Bam, one of four senators who voted against the ratification of the TRAIN Law.

Sen. Bam: Tama na ang debate sa TRAIN, aksiyunan ang matinding inflation

The government must act now to ease the burden of high prices of goods and services on the Filipino people by immediately suspending the excise tax on fuel under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law, according to Sen. Bam Aquino. 
 
Sen. Bam made the pronouncement after the country’s inflation rate hit 5.7 percent in July, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). 
 
“Wala nang ihihigpit pa ang sinturon ng taumbayan. Sagad na sagad na po dahil sa mahal ng bilihin,” said Sen. Bam, one of four senators who voted against ratification of the TRAIN Law. 
 
“Huwag na tayong magtalo kung gaano kalaki ang epekto ng TRAIN sa taas presyo. Utang na loob, pag-usapan na po natin ang solusyon,” said Sen. Bam, who is pushing for the passage of his “Bawas Presyo Bill. 
 
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. 
 
“Sobra na ang hirap ng taumbayan, tama na po ang debate. Gawin na natin ang nararapat para ibaba ang presyo sa lalong madaling panahon,” said Sen. Bam. 
 
During his consultation with various sectors in different parts of the country, the senator said has received complaints from different sectors, about the negative impact of the TRAIN Law on their livelihood. 
 
In Sen. Bam’s recent visit to Tagbilaran City, a representative from the senior citizens group said that the TRAIN Law is killing them softly and urged the senator to help put a stop to it. 
 
“Iyong TRAIN, parang hindi pinag-aralan. Walang konsultasyon sa baba, kasi kung meron sana hindi iyan natuloy,” said Oni Kalinyahan, a representative from the fisherfolk sector. 
 
“Hindi na kami natutulog para makapantay man lang sa gastusin,” the fisherman added.

Sen. Bam: Bawas Presyo Bill is safer fix to inflation vs. lower tariffs on meat, fish

Rather than impose lower tariffs on fish and meat to lower inflation, Sen. Bam Aquino said the government should focus on the suspension and roll back of excise tax on petroleum products under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law. 

“Natutuwa tayo na tanggap na ng administrasyong na napakalaking problema ang mataas na inflation at presyo ng bilihin,” said Sen. Bam, one of four senators who voted against the ratification of the TRAIN Law. 

“Subalit, sa planong bawasan ang taripa, baka ang ating mga magsasaka’t mangingisda ang tamaan dahil sa pagbaba ng presyo ng imported na karne at isda,” warned Sen. Bam. 

“Tulungan na lang ang ating mga kababayang magsasaka at mangingisda na mapababa ang cost of production para bumaba ang presyo ng kanilang produkto at lumaki ang kanilang kita,” suggested Sen. Bam, adding that productions cost has even gone up because of the price of petroleum and government’s excise tax on fuel. 

Sen. Bam stressed that solutions to inflation shouldn’t burden poor families, especially our farmers and fishermen who are already struggling to compete with imported goods. 

“Gusto natin solusyunan at aksiyunan ang taas-presyo, pero gawin natin ito na walang nasasagasaang magsasaka’t mangingisda. Ipasa na sana ng Kongreso ang Bawas Presyo Bill,” said Sen. Bam as he renewed his push for the passage of Senate Bill No. 1798, or his “Bawas Presyo Bill.” 

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. 

According to Sen. Bam, a roll-back of the excise tax on fuel under the TRAIN Law could help bring down the prices of goods and services and the rise in inflation rate. It will also help lower expenses of farmers and fishermen. 

Sen. Bam warned that another round of increase in the excise tax on fuel will happen on January 2019 under the TRAIN Law. 

“Huwag naman natin hayaan na itaas pa ng gobyerno ang presyo ng petrolyo habang nalulunod ang mga Pilipino sa gastos,” Sen. Bam stressed.

Sen. Bam to gov’t: Fulfill TRAIN’s promise to the poor

The government should fully implement the mitigating measures under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law first before even discussing the passage of TRAIN 2.

“Siguraduhin muna ng gobyerno na ang pinangakong tulong ng TRAIN 1 ay makuha ng mga Pilipino. May ilang milyong pamilya pa ang hindi nakatatanggap ng tulong pinansiyal, pati mga jeepney driver ay nirereklamo ang Pantawid Pasada Program,” said Sen. Bam, one of four senators who voted against the ratification of the TRAIN Law.

 The government has yet to complete the roll out of the unconditional cash transfer program and Pantawid Pasada Program, which should help jeepney operators and drivers cope with the increase in oil prices.

“Kung napakaraming pangako ang hindi natupad, bakit pa tayo maniniwala sa mga pangako ngayon? Magpakatotoo na tayo. Suspindihin na natin ang mga pahirap na buwis sa TRAIN,” said Sen. Bam, who filed Senate Bill No. 1798 or the “Bawas Presyo Bill” to roll-back and suspend the excise tax on fuel under the TRAIN Law when average inflation surpasses the annual inflation target over a three-month period.

“Sa pag-uusap namin iba’t ibang komunidad, napakarami ang naghahanap ng solusyon sa taas-presyo. Nalulunod na sila sa gastos,” said Sen. Bam.

On the push to pass TRAIN 2 in the Senate, Sen. Bam says he cannot move on to TRAIN 2 without addressing the issues of TRAIN 1.

  “Mahirap maka-move-on sa TRAIN 2 habang maraming Pilipino pa ang pinapahirapan ng TRAIN 1. Hindi pa naipapatupad ang mga programa para sa mga nasagasaan ng TRAIN,” added Sen. Bam.

 

Sen. Bam Aquino pushes ‘Bawas Presyo Bill’ amid rising gas prices

Sen. Bam Aquino urged the government to address the rising prices of goods, especially that of petroleum products, by supporting the passage of his measure dubbed as “Bawas Presyo Bill.”
 
“Huwag na patagalin pa ang paghihirap ng ating mga kababayan. May magagawa tayo para maibsan ang pagtaas ng presyo,” said Sen. Bam, one of four senators who voted against the ratification of the TRAIN Law.
 
“Simplehan lang po natin. Taas presyo ang problema, bawas presyo ang solusyon. Kailangang ipasa na ang Bawas Presyo Bill sa lalong madaling panahon,” added Sen. Bam, referring to his Senate Bill No. 1798.
 
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.
 
According to Sen. Bam, the government cannot escape the fact that its tax reform program, particularly the excise tax on fuel under the TRAIN Law, has led to the increase in prices of goods and services and the rise in inflation rate.
 
He added that under the TRAIN Law, another increase in the excise tax on fuel is scheduled for January 2019.
 
“Huwag naman natin hayaan na itaas pa ng gobyerno ang presyo ng petrolyo habang nalulunod ang mga pamilya sa gastos,” urged Sen. Bam.
 
Sen. Bam also urged Congress to prioritize the suspension and rollback of excise tax under the TRAIN Law, instead of focusing on the passage of TRAIN 2.

Sen. Bam to govt: Solusyunan ang taas-presyo bago mag-TRAIN 2

Instead of pushing for the passage of its second package, Senator Bam Aquino urged the government the first address the woes inflicted by the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law to the Filipino people.

“Hindi pa nakaka-move on ang taumbayan sa TRAIN 1, TRAIN 2 na ang pinag-uusapan. Alam naman po nating madami pa rin ang napeperwisyo ng TRAIN Law,” said Sen. Bam, one of senators who voted against the ratification of the government’s tax reform program.

On Monday, President Duterte said around four million Filipino families have benefited from the unconditional cash transfer given by the government as part of the TRAIN Law. However, Sen. Bam said there is a long way to go for the government as it has yet to release assistance to six million more poor Filipino families.

“Nabanggit pa sa SONA na maraming natutulungang mahirap ang TRAIN. Ipinagmalaki na apat na milyon ang nabigyan ng tulong sa TRAIN Law, pero kulang pa ng 6 milyon. Hindi ba bagsak ang grado na 40%?” added Sen. Bam.

“Aksyunan na lang natin ang problema. Kailangang isalba ang nalulunod sa taas presyo, lalo na ang mahihirap na Pilipino,” Sen. Bam insisted.

Sen. Bam said Congress should prioritize the suspension and rollback of excise tax under the TRAIN Law, instead of working on the passage of TRAIN 2.

Sen. Bam has filed a measure that seeks to suspend and roll back the excise tax on petroleum products under the TRAIN Law.

Under Sen. Bam’s measure, the excise tax on fuel under the TRAIN Law will be suspended and rolled back once average inflation rate surpasses the annual inflation target over a three-month period.

The senator emphasized that a suspension and rollback are necessary as there is a scheduled increase in excise tax on petroleum products under the TRAIN Law come January 2019.

Sen. Bam urges Congress to prioritize measure to suspend TRAIN, roll back excise tax on petroleum

With Malacanang firm on implementing the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law, Senator Bam Aquino said poor Filipinos now look up to the Senate to save them from high prices of goods and services. 

“Malinaw ang pakiusap ng taumbayan na nalulunod sa taas presyo. Ang tanong lang ngayon ay kung makikinig ba ang Senado,” said Sen. Bam, one of four senators who voted against the ratification of the TRAIN Law.

With the government virtually turning its back on Filipinos, Sen. Bam said Filipinos have no one else to turn to but the Senate, which holds the capacity to ease the suffering of our poor countrymen.

“Nakinig tayo sa SONA na umaasang matutugunan ang tumitinding problema mataas na presyo ng bilihin, subalit tayong lahat ay nabigo,” said Sen. Bam, referring to President Duterte’s State of the Nation Address (SONA).

President Duterte, in his SONA, insisted that the government has no plan of stopping the implementation of the TRAIN Law and pushed for the passage of its second package before the year ends.

“Dahil hindi kasama sa prayoridad ng gobyerno ang kapakanan ng taumbayan, tayo sa Senado ngayon ang inaasahan ng ating mga kababayan. Huwag sana natin silang biguin,” the senator added.

Sen. Bam emphasized that the suspension of TRAIN Law is not about politics, but about the lives of Filipino people, who are drowning in high prices of goods due to the government’s tax reform program.

Sen. Bam renewed his call to fellow lawmakers to support the measure that he filed, seeking to suspend and roll back the excise tax on petroleum products under the TRAIN Law.

Under Sen. Bam’s measure, the excise tax on fuel under the TRAIN Law will be suspended and rolled back once average inflation rate surpasses the annual inflation target over a three-month period.

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