Bawas-Presyo Bill

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.

3-month financial assistance for endo workers, included in ‘End Endo’ bill

Sen. Bam Aquino’s “Pantawid Endo” proposal to give financial assistance to workers hired by subcontracting companies who are waiting for their next project was incorporated in Security of Tenure and End of Endo Act of 2018.
 
Under the Transition Support Program, Sen. Bam’s “Pantawid Endo” proposal will provide workers who are hired by subcontracting companies and are in between jobs with much needed financial assistance for three months.
 
“Makakatulong po ang probisyong ito sa pagsisigurado na hindi mawawalan ng kita ang mga pamilya ng mga manggagawa habang sila’y nag-aabang ng bagong kontrata at trabaho,” Sen. Bam said in his co-sponsorship speech.
 
Sen. Bam said the provision will provide workers with much-needed assistance amid the increase in prices of goods, such as rice, food and other basic needs. 
 
“Mas mahalaga pa po ito sa panahon ngayon na matindi ang pagtaas ng presyo ng bigas, pagkain at iba pang pangangailangan ng pamilya; ngayon na bawat sentimo na pumasok sa bulsa ng pamilya ay mahalaga,” Sen. Bam said.
 
In his co-sponsorship speech, Sen. Bam also asked his colleagues to support the Bawas Presyo Bill to relieve families of the burden of high prices.

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.

Senate Bill 1798: Automatic Suspension of the Excise Tax on Fuel Under RA 10963 (TRAIN Law)

Philippine laws must protect, serve and empower the Filipino people.

One major threat we need to protect our countrymen from is inflation – rising prices of goods and services that put a strain on the average Filipino’s daily struggle.

By the end of  2017, over 10 million Filipino families still considered themselves poor. That is 10 million households struggling to provide food and shelter, striving to earn education and desperately searching  to find sufficient livelihood.

Higit sa sampung milyong pamilya ang nababalisa tuwing tumtaas ang presyo ng bilihin tulad ng bigas, sardinas, kuryente at pamasahe.

More than just tightening their budget, these families will have to scramble for higher pay, for odd jobs and ‘sidelines’, and even micro-loans just to cover basic household expenses.

With so many Filipinos living in the fringes, the government needs to play an active role in managing inflation and ensure that our countrymen can survive the rising prices.

As such, this measure seeks to protect underprivileged Filipino families from increasing fuel prices, and its effect on the prices of goods and services, by suspending the excise tax on fuel under TRAIN when the average inflation rate surpasses the annual inflation target range over a three-month period.

Should the average inflation rate stabilize and fall below the annual target for three consecutive months, then the Department of Finance (DOF) will have the prerogative to lift the suspension and re-impose the excise tax on fuel based on its rate at the time of suspension.

While we have little control over global fuel prices, the imposition of excise taxes in our hands.

It is our responsibility to be flexible and responsive when the weight of inflation becomes too heavy for the poor Filipino families to bear.

Progress cannot be built at the expense of hungry Filipinos with little opportunity to improve their day-to-day lives.

Our challenge is to strike a balance between our macroeconomic goals and providing relief and support to Filipinos with the least in our society; and with open minds, open hearts, creativity and innovation, I believe we can find that delicate balance and create a prosperous future for all.

 

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