Bam Aquino on Train Law

Sen. Bam to gov’t: Time to roll back fuel tax, suspend TRAIN law

Senator Bam Aquino stressed that it’s high time for the government to address the high prices of goods and services amid the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) projection that inflation rate could reach as high as 5.1 percent in June and the further weakening of the peso.

“Sa paghina ng piso, lalong nalulunod sa taas presyo ang mga Pilipino. Malaking porsiyento ng mga produkto sa merkado ay mayroong imported na raw materials, kaya ang tama ng pagbaba ng peso ay pagtaas na naman ng presyo,” said Sen. Bam, dispelling the statement of Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno that weakening peso is not bad for the country.

“Pareho ang sinasabi ng datos ng gobyerno at karanasan ng maraming Pilipino, nalulunod ang taumbayan sa tumitinding taas presyo,” added Sen. Bam, one of four senators who voted against the ratification of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law.   

Sen. Bam maintained that the rise in inflation rate and the weakening peso are reasons enough for the government to suspend the TRAIN Law.

“Ano pa po ba ang patunay na kailangan ng gobyerno para isuspinde na ang pahirap na TRAIN?” emphasized Sen. Bam, who has been conducting dialogues with different sectors around the country on the effects of the TRAIN Law in the prices of goods and services..

“Sabi nga po ng isang tindera sa Bicol, kaming mahihirap ang ginawang riles para umandar ang TRAIN,” said Sen. Bam, adding that most, if not all, of the people whom he talked to are already burdened by the government’s tax reform law.

“Dumarami pa po ang nasasagasaan ng TRAIN, kailan po ihihinto ng gobyerno pahirap na ito,” added the senator, who has been pushing for the suspension and rollback of the excise tax on fuel under the TRAIN Law to help lower the prices of goods.

Sen. Bam called on the government to support his measure calling for the immediate suspension of the excise tax on petroleum products under the TRAIN Law to ease the public’s burden.   

If passed into law, Sen. Bam’s measure will roll back the excise tax on fuel under the TRAIN Law once average inflation rate surpasses the annual inflation target over a three-month period.   

 Sen. Bam also called on the government to fully implementation the 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: ‘Hard fact’ is poor families are drowning in rising prices

Senator Bam Aquino challenged the government’s financial managers to personally go down to the people and listen to their plea on the high prices of goods due to Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law.    

“Totoo po yan, numbers don’t lie. Pumunta po kayo sa palengke, hindi po nagsisinungaling ang presyo ng bilihin,” said Sen. Bam, one of four senators who voted against the ratification of the government’s tax reform program.  

“Ang ‘hard fact’ po ay nalulunod ang mga Pilipino sa taas ng presyo ng bilihin,” the senator added.   

Sen. Bam made the pronouncement after Budget Secretary Ben Diokno said that “hard facts” will refute President Duterte’s statement that the economy is in the doldrums due to high prices of goods.     

“Sana mag-usap muna ang Presidente at ang Budget Secretary upang klaruhin ang estado ng ekonomiya. Mas mainam kung bumisita na rin sila sa mga komunidad upang malaman kung ano ang dinadanas ng mga pamilyang nasasagasaan ng kanilang polisiya,” Sen. Bam asserted.    

Sen. Bam urged the administration to support his measure calling for the immediate suspension of the excise tax on petroleum products under the TRAIN Law to ease the public’s burden.    

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

Sen. Bam also called on the government to fully implementation the 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: High price of sugar to hit poor Filipinos, roll back TRAIN excise tax on fuel

While the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) must monitor and maintain sugar prices, the government must ensure that financial assistance and other mitigating measures under the tax reform program are rolled out immediately, Sen. Bam Aquino pointed out.

Sen. Bam said increase in price of sugar will also result in rise in prices of flour, bread and other sweetened products that are essential commodities to families.

“Wala na ngang ihihigpit ang sinturon ng mga mahihirap na Pilipino dahil sa TRAIN Law, lalo pa silang mahihirapan kung tataas ang presyo ng asukal,” said Sen. Bam, one of four senators who voted against the ratification of the government’s tax reform program.

 “Kailangan na nila ng salbabida kundi tuluyan na silang malulunod sa mataas na presyo ng bilihin,” added Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam renewed his call to the administration to support his measure that seeks to suspend and roll back the excise tax on petroleum products under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law.

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

Also, Sen. Bam said the government should fast track 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 hopes the President also hears cries of ordinary Filipinos on issue of inflation and rising prices

Senator Bam Aquino called on President Duterte to also listen to the cry of the people, especially the poor, on the high prices of goods and services caused by the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law.

“Tama po kayo. Ramdam na ramdam na ng mamamayan ang paghina ng ekonomiya dahil nalulunod na ang Pilipino sa taas ng presyo,” said Sen. Bam, referring to Duterte’s pronouncement that the rising prices of goods could prolong the economic stagnation in the provinces.

“Ang isa sa magpapasigla sa ekonomiya lalo na sa probinsya at kanayunan ay ang pagpapababa ng presyo ng bilihin,” added Sen. Bam, one of four senators who voted against the ratification of the TRAIN Law.

Sen. Bam said Duterte must listen to the people, who are pleading on the government for respite from the burden of high prices of goods and services.

 “Sana po pakinggan natin ang hinaing at panawagan ng taumbayan, hirap na hirap na po ang pamilyang Pilipino dahil sa taas ng presyo. I-roll-back na natin ang excise tax sa petrolyo na dulot ng TRAIN law,” said Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam renewed his call for the immediate suspension of the excise tax on petroleum products under the TRAIN Law to ease the public’s burden.

The senator has filed a measure seeking to roll back of TRAIN’s excise tax on fuel when average inflation rate surpasses the annual inflation target over a three-month period.

Sen. Bam is also 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.

In addition, 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: Solusyunan ang taas presyo, hindi tambay ang problema

The government should solve the pressing problem of high prices of goods and services caused by the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law, instead of focusing on so-called loiterers or “tambays”, according to Sen. Bam Aquino.

“Mas matinding problema ang mataas na presyo ng bilihin, hindi mga tambay,” said Sen. Bam, one of four senators who voted against the ratification of the government’s tax reform program.

“Nalulunod na sa taas presyo ang taumbayan. Sana ito ang pagtuunan ng pansin ng ating gobyerno,” added Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam called on the government to lay a clear-cut plan on how to address the high prices of goods and services to alleviate the plight of Filipinos, especially the poor.

“Ano po ba talaga ang plano ng gobyerno para maisalba ang napakaraming kababayan nating nalulunod sa taas presyo?” said Sen. Bam.

At the same time, Sen. Bam urged the government to stop arresting loiters, most of whom are poor, and focus on the issue that burdens them the most, which is the high prices of goods.

 “Tama na po muna sana ang paghuli sa mga tambay na karamihan ay mahirap. Unahin po sanang tugunan yung nagpapahirap sa kanila,” said Sen. Bam as he renewed his call for the suspension of the excise tax on petroleum products under the TRAIN Law.

Sen. Bam has submitted a measure seeking 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 is also 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: Provide enough help to jeepney, tricycle drivers

Senator Bam Aquino reiterated his call to the government to expand the Pantawid Pasada program to include other public transportations to help them shoulder the effects of the administration’s tax reform program.

“Kung tutulong na rin lang tayo, bakit hindi pa natin lubus-lubusin at isama na ang lahat ng uri ng pampublikong transportasyon,” stressed Sen. Bam during his dialogue with members of different transport organizations here.

“Lahat ng kabilang sa sektor ng pampublikong transportasyon, kailangan ng tulong dahil nalulunod rin ang ating mga tsuper sa pagtaas ng presyo ng langis,” added Sen. Bam, referring to the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law.

 Sen. Bam is one of four senators who voted against the ratification of the TRAIN Law. Sen. Bam voted against it due to the government’s failure to immediately implement the unconditional cash transfer program and the Pantawid Pasada program.

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

 Earlier, Sen. Bam called on the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to expand the Pantawid Pasada program other means of transportation, such as UV Express and tricycles as well.

 During the Senate hearing of the Senate committee on public services in Legazpi, Albay recently, Sen. Bam also urged the DOTr to conduct further study to see if the subsidy is enough to cover the increase in prices of goods due to TRAIN.

 Sen. Bam has been working to alleviate the burden of high prices of goods and services under the TRAIN Law on the Filipino people, especially the poor.

 Sen. Bam has filed a 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.

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.

Sen. Bam strengthens call to suspend TRAIN amid cries for fare increase

A senator stressed the need to suspend the excise tax on fuel under the government’s tax reform program, saying the transport sector is already crying out for support amid the increase in fuel prices.

“Para sa mga driver, operator at pasahero, i-ipreno na ang TRAIN para mapagaan naman ang kanilang sitwasyon,” said Sen. Bam Aquino, referring to the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law.

“Ibalik na ang mekanismo para masuspindi ang excise tax dahil sa inflation upang mabawasan na ang pasanin ng parehong driver, operators at mga commuter,” added Sen. Bam, one of four senators who voted against the ratification of the TRAIN Law.

Sen. Bam made the pronouncement after several jeepney operators filed a petition asking for a P2 fare increase and the possible surge pricing during rush hours due to the recent increase in prices of petroleum products.

Sen. Bam submitted Senate Bill No. 1798, seeking to stop the collection of excise tax on fuel under TRAIN once the inflation rate breaches “target range.”

In Sen. Bam’s measure, the collection of excise tax will be suspended once the average inflation rate surpasses the annual inflation target over a three-month period.

Sen. Bam introduced that specific provision during the TRAIN’s deliberation and was approved by fellow senators. However, the provision was not included in the bicameral conference committee and the approved version of the measure.

“Bigyan naman natin ng kaunting ginhawa ang ating mga kababayan sa pagtaas ng presyo ng petrolyo at iba pang mga bilihin,” said Sen. Bam.

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