TRAIN

Sen. Bam to admin: Listen to Filipino people, review TRAIN law

Senator Bam Aquino urged the government to listen to the Filipino people in light of the latest Pulse Asia survey showing pay hikes and increase in prices as major concerns of the public.

 “Pakinggan natin ang hinaing ng mga Pilipinong nabibigatan sa mataas na presyo ng bilihin at hindi sapat na kita,” said Sen. Bam, who has visited a number of local communities to hear out their concerns on the rising prices of goods.

The survey conducted by Pulse Asia from March 23 to 28 showed that 50 percent of the respondents mentioned salary increase as the most urgent issue while 45 percent pointed to inflation.

“Sa pagtaas ng presyo ng bilihin, sapat ba ang 200 pesos per month na cash transfer ng gobyerno? Panahon na para suriin ang totoong epekto ng TRAIN law at siguraduhing hindi pinapahirap ng gobyerno ang buhay ng mga Pilipino,” Sen. Bam stressed.

 With this development, Sen. Bam reiterated his call to review Republic Act No. 10963 or the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Act as it contributes to the increase in prices of goods and services that burdens Filipinos, especially the poor.

Recently, Sen. Bam filed Senate Resolution No. 704, urging the appropriate Senate Committees to conduct an inquiry on the TRAIN’s inflationary impact and effect on the economy, particularly the P7 and P2.50 excise tax increase on gasoline and diesel, respectively.

Sen. Bam also filed Senate Resolution No. 597, urging the appropriate Senate committee to scrutinize the implementation of the unconditional cash transfer to ensure that it is sufficient to cover the increase in prices of goods and other services.

In his resolution, Sen. Bam said the Department of Finance assured lawmakers that TRAIN’s impact on inflation would not be more than 0.7 percent.

However, latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that the country’s inflation rate for March hit 4.3 percent.

Sen. Bam: Gov’t is duty-bound to review TRAIN, protect poor from price surge

As Filipinos deal with high prices of goods and services due to the additional excise tax on petroleum products and with the country’s inflation rate shooting up to 4.3 percent in March, a senator urged his colleagues to revisit Republic Act No. 10963 or the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Act.

 In his Senate Resolution No. 704, Sen. Bam Aquino wants the appropriate Senate Committees to conduct an inquiry on the TRAIN’s inflationary impact and effect on the economy.

Sen. Bam underscored the need to take another look at the government’s tax reform program amid the rise in prices due to the imposition of additional excise tax on fuel.

 “It is our duty to ensure all reforms benefit our countrymen and do not make life more difficult for Filipino families,” said Sen. Bam, who voted to reject the TRAIN Law during its ratification.

“Kailangan suriin muli ang TRAIN. Maging bukas tayo sa pagsuspindi sa excise tax kapag nakitang nakasasama na ito sa kabuhayan ng mga Pilipino,” emphasized Sen. Bam, referring to the increase in tax on gasoline and diesel to P7 and P2.50, respectively.

Sen. Bam pointed out that Congress approved the inclusion of increased excise taxes in the TRAIN Law due to assurance by the Department of Finance that its impact on inflation would not be more than 0.7 percent.

However, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) announced that the inflation rate for March rose to 4.3 percent, way above the government’s prediction of two to four percent.

“Huwag nating hayaang lumala pa ang kahirapan at pagkagutom ng mga Pilipino,” said Sen. Bam.

Earlier, Sen. Bam filed Senate Resolution No. 597, urging the appropriate Senate committee to scrutinize the implementation of the unconditional cash transfer to ensure that it is sufficient to cover the increase in prices of goods and other services.

Sen. Bam to gov’t: Where is financial assistance for rising prices?

With effects of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Act now being felt by the public coupled with the rise in the price of rice and lack of affordable NFA rice in the market, Sen. Bam Aquino urged the government to immediately implement the cash transfer program for poor Filipinos.

“Tumataas na ang presyo ng mga bilihin dahil sa tax reform, na sinabayan pa ng pagkawala ng NFA Rice sa merkado. Nasaan na ang financial assistance para sa mga mahihirap na pamilyang Pilipino?” said Sen. Bam.

 Sen. Bam made the pronouncement amid the increase in prices of basic goods due to TRAIN and the sudden rise in prices of rice in the market due to lack of supply of NFA Rice.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) also announced on Tuesday that the country’s inflation rate in February was at 4.5 percent, the fastest in over three years.

 “Masyado nang mabigat ang pasaning dala ng ating mga kababayan dahil sa pagtaas ng presyo ng bilihin. Panahon na upang madaliin ng pamahalaan ang paglabas ng tulong para sa sampung milyong mahihirap nating kababayan,” said Sen. Bam.

 Sen. Bam was referring to the financial assistance mandated by Republic Act No. 10963 or TRAIN Act to 10 million poor Filipinos to counter the expected increase in prices of goods. In 2018, they will receive P200 monthly followed by a P300 monthly cash subsidy in 2019 and 2010.

 During the measure’s period of amendments in the Senate, Sen. Bam pushed for the immediate implementation of the financial assistance program to help poor Filipinos absorb the expected increase in the prices of goods and services.

However, Sen. Bam’s proposal was not accepted, prompting him to reject the ratification of the measure.

 Recently, Sen. Bam filed Senate Resolution No. 597, urging the appropriate Senate committee to scrutinize the implementation of the unconditional cash transfer to ensure that it is sufficient to cover the increase in prices of goods and other services.

 In his resolution, Sen. Bam also called on the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) to check if household incomes are enough to absorb these rising costs.

“Gusto rin natin alamin kung sapat na ang 200 pesos kada buwan na cash transfer, lalo na ngayong tumataas na rin ang presyo ng kuryente at bigas,” said Sen. Bam.

 

Sen. Bam calls for Senate probe on slow cash transfer program

A senator has filed Senate Resolution No. 597, urging the appropriate Senate committee to scrutinize the implementation of the unconditional cash transfer under Tax Reform Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN), which was enacted into law on December 19, 2017.  

Sen. Bam Aquino wants to ensure that the cash assistance for 10 million poor Filipino families under the TRAIN Law is sufficient to cover the increase in prices of goods and other services.  

“Siguraduhin natin na makakarating nga ang financial assistance sa mga pamilyang nangangailangan. Bantayan natin ang proseso at suriin natin kung sapat na ang 200 pesos kada buwan,” said Sen. Bam.  

 “The government must prioritize the poor and ensure that its policies benefit them rather than impose even more financial burdens,” Sen. Bam added.  

 Republic Act No. 10963 mandates financial assistance to 10 million poor Filipinos to counter the expected increase in prices of goods. In 2018, they will receive P200 monthly followed by a P300 monthly cash subsidy in 2019 and 2010.  

 However, the government said it cannot implement the cash transfer program at the same time as the tax reform and expected price increases due to lack of proper infrastructure.  

The government intends to use the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) system for the Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program (4Ps) to distribute funds to the existing 1.8 million beneficiaries with cash cards by January 31, 2018. But the remaining 2.6 million recipients without cards would have to wait.  

Sen. Bam also said that the cash transfer for the additional 5.6 million households is still in limbo with no actual date of release set.  

“The failure of the government to implement an effective financial assistance program in time for the projected price increases will burden Filipino families,” stressed Sen. Bam.  

 During the measure’s period of amendments in the Senate, Sen. Bam pushed for the immediate implementation of the financial assistance program to help poor Filipinos absorb the expected increase in the prices of goods and services.   

However, Sen. Bam’s proposal was not accepted, prompting the senator to vote against its ratification.  

“Without a cash transfer program in place, poor Filipinos will bear the brunt of the increase in prices of goods and services due to the fuel taxes and sweetened beverage tax. Without the necessary safeguards for the poor, I cannot support this measure,” Sen. Bam emphasized.

Sen. Bam: Family expenses rising, implement free college law now

Senator Bam Aquino called out the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) for its failure to fully implement the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, which provides for free tuition and other miscellaneous expenses in state universities and colleges (SUCs). 

Sen. Bam, principal sponsor and co-author of RA 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, reminded CHED that the law became effective last August 18, 2017, and should already cover the 2nd semester of school year 2017-2018 as manifested both during the bicameral conference and the ratification of the bill in the Senate.

 In addition, CHED also committed to this to Sen. Aquino’s office during the budget deliberations. The Congress and Senate allotted P40 billion in the 2018 national budget for its implementation.

 “Mahalagang maipatupad na ang free college law sa public universities and colleges, lalo pa’t nararamdaman na ng taumbayan ang epekto ng TRAIN sa presyo ng mga bilihin,” said Sen. Bam, referring to the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) that was recently enacted into law by the Duterte government. 

 “Tumataas na nga ang presyo ng bilihin, pinagbabayad pa rin ng mga eskuwelahan ang ating mahihirap na pamilya samantalang libre na dapat ang tuition, pati miscellaneous fees,” said Sen. Bam, who voted against the ratification of TRAIN. 

The law provides free education to students in SUCs, local universities and colleges (LUCs) and TESDA-run vocational schools.

 Aside from tuition fees, the government will shoulder miscellaneous and all other mandatory fees.

Scholarship grants will be made available to students of both public and private college and universities. It also provides a new and improved student loan program, where students can apply for financing for other education expenses.

 In addition, students taking post-graduate studies can avail of the new and improved student loan program and scholarships under the law. 

The measure was languishing in the legislative mill for years before it was passed during Sen. Bam’s time as chairman of the Committee on Education in the 17th Congress. This was Sen. Bam’s 19th law in his four years as senator.

Sen. Bam: Fast track financial assistance for poor families

Senator Bam Aquino renewed his call to the government to hasten the implementation of the cash transfer program to help 10 million poor Filipino families bear the effects of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) on the prices of goods and services.
 
“Kung talagang seryoso tayong gawing positibo ang epekto ng TRAIN sa ekonomiya at sa lahat ng kababayan natin, itong programang ito na tutulong sa 10 million Filipinos – 10 million Filipino families, should be in place at the soonest possible time,” Sen. Bam said in a television interview.
 
Sen. Bam pointed out that the funds needed for the cash transfer program was already included in the 2018 budget and the exact date of its implementation is the only issue. 
 
“Hopefully, the Departments of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Department of Finance (DOF) will speed up the process. Sana huwag nang patagalin ang programang ito, gawin nila as fast as they can, and as efficiently as possible,” Sen. Bam emphasized.
 
Based on the recommendation by the DOF, the law provides a cash grant of P200 a month to poor families on the first year.  The monthly financial assistance will be increased to P300 for the second and third year to help cover the increase in prices of basic goods. 
 
During the measure’s period of amendments in the Senate, Sen. Bam pushed for the immediate implementation of the financial assistance program to help poor Filipinos absorb the expected increase in the prices of goods and services.  
 
However, Sen. Bam’s proposal was not accepted, prompting the senator to vote against its ratification. 
 
“Without a cash transfer program in place, poor Filipinos will bear the brunt of the increase in prices of goods and services due to the TRAIN,” Sen. Bam emphasized.
 
Also, Sen. Bam called on the government to be transparent in the selection and disbursement of the cash transfer program.
 
“Aside from ensuring that it will be implemented at the soonest possible time, the government must conduct its rollout without any political patronage or accommodation,” added Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam warns public: Brace for increase in prices in 2018

Senator Bam Aquino informed the public to brace for the increase in prices of basic commodities in 2018 due to the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN)  that was enacted into law recently by the government.
 
“We won’t be surprised by the increase in prices in 2018. Ito ang dahilan kung bakit kumontra tayo sa pagsasabatas ng TRAIN dahil masasagasaan nito ang mga kababayan nating mahihirap,” said Sen. Bam.
 
Sen. Bam made the reaction after the Industrial Group of Zamboanga warned that prices of sardines will increase starting next year due to the excise tax imposed on petroleum products.
 
“Ito’y isa lang sa inaasahan nating pagtaas sa presyo ng bilhin na ang papasan ay ang mahihirap nating kababayan,” Sen. Bam said.
 
Sen. Bam rejected the TRAIN’s approval due to the inability of government to implement the financial assistance program in time for the increase in prices due to provisions on excise tax on fuel and sweetened beverage tax.
 
The Department of Finance (DOF) proposed a cash transfer program with a P200 monthly financial assistance on the first year and P300 monthly financial assistance for the second and third year to help cover the increase in prices of basic goods.
 
During the period of amendments, Sen. Bam pushed for the immediate implementation of the cash transfer program to help poor Filipinos absorb the expected increase in the prices of goods and services.  However, Sen. Bam’s proposal was not accepted by the DOF.
 
“In the end, poor Filipinos will bear the brunt of this tax reform program as it will increase the prices of basic commodities without the immediate cash transfer assistance to the poor” said Sen. Bam.
 
Sen. Bam renewed his call to the government to speed up the implementation of the cash transfer program so poor people won’t be burdened by the increase in prices.
 
Sen. Bam is also hoping that the increase in take-home pay will be enough to offset the increase of prices of goods and services.
 
In addition, the lawmaker urged the government to focus on improving the performance of revenue-generating agencies such as the Bureau of Customs (BoC) and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).
 
Data from the Finance Department shows that an additional P726 billion can still be collected by government by addressing inefficiencies and removing loopholes in the BIR.
 
The government can also collect at least P231 billion if the importation gap and smuggling is resolved by BOC.

Sen. Bam: TRAIN to burden millions of Filipino families in 2018

Poor Filipinos will have to deal with higher prices of goods and services without any financial assistance from the government once the tax reform program it is implemented next year, according to Sen. Bam Aquino.
 
“While the government is determined to implement the tax reform program starting next year, it will take months before it rolls out the cash transfer program for poor Filipinos,” said Sen. Bam.
 
The Department of Finance (DOF) proposed a cash transfer program with a P200 monthly financial assistance on the first year and P300 monthly financial assistance for the second and third year to help cover the increase in prices of basic goods.
 
However, the DOF said it cannot immediately implement the cash transfer program and the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) at the same time.
 
In the period of amendments, Sen. Bam pushed for the immediate implementation of the cash transfer program to help poor Filipinos absorb the expected increase in the prices of goods and services.  However, Sen. Bam’s proposal was not accepted by the DOF.
 
During its ratification, Sen. Bam rejected the TRAIN’s approval due to the inability of government to implement the financial assistance program in time for the increase in prices due to provisions on excise tax on fuel and sweetened beverage tax.
 
“In the end, poor Filipinos will bear the brunt of this tax reform program as it will increase the prices of basic commodities,” said Sen. Bam, who rejected the measure despite supporting the increase in take home pay for workers.
 
“Sana mahanapan pa ng paraan, na sa madaling panahon, masabay nila ang pinansyal na tulong doon sa pagtaas ng taxes at pagtaas ng presyo ng napakaraming bilihin sa ating bansa,” added Sen. Bam.
 
Instead of passing the burden to poor Filipinos, Sen. Bam said the government should focus on improving the performance of revenue-generating agencies such as the Bureau of Customs (BoC) and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).
 
Data from the Finance Department shows that an additional P726 billion can still be collected by government by addressing inefficiencies and removing loopholes in the BIR.
 
The government can also collect at least P231 billion if the importation gap and smuggling is resolved by BOC.

Sen. Bam Aquino’s Explanation of No-Vote for TRAIN Ratification

Thank you, Mr. President.

First of all, Mr. President, let me just say that my no vote at the ratification is by no means an indication of the leadership and the diligence of our Chairman. Our Chairman worked very hard for this bill, and I believe he really did his best to come up with the best version that he could, with the circumstances given to him.

However, Mr. President, if I I could explain my vote, the DOF knows that there was really one major provision or one major aspect of this bill that was important to this representation. At yun, Mr. President, yung epekto ng batas na ito sa napakaraming mahihirap sa ating bansa.

Totoo po, Mr. President, merong 6 million Filipinos ang matutulungan ng batas na ito. 6 million Filipinos, in fairness, Mr. President, and will congratulate this portion of the bill, will go to the larger take-home pay. However, Mr. President, in the records of the Department of Finance, in their deliberations, in their presentations to the individual senators, lumalabas po talaga na dahil sa pagtaas ng bilihin, we’re looking at the bottom 40% of the Filipino people who will carry the brunt of the tax reform because of the increase in prices.

Now, Mr. President, a lot of us have raised this issue. At yung na-mention po ng DOF na tulong sa ating mga kababayan ang unconditional cash transfer. In short, Mr. President, yung pang-balanse sa napakaraming pamilyang Pilipinong naghihirap dahil sa pagtaas ng presyo ng bilihin, at yung pagbibigay ng 200, or- ngayon po 200 pero initially in the Senate version 300 pesos per month na tulong, financial assistance to the bottom, roughly 10 million families to help them with the increase in prices because of the tax reform. Mr. President, with that assertion, marami po sa atin, napanatag ang kalooban.

However, Mr. President, lumabas po doon sa ating interpolation, at lumabas po doon sa ating pananaliksik ng DOF at ng iba pang mga ahensya, na hindi po kayang i-implement ang programang iyon na kasabay sa pagtaas ng presyo ng ating bilihin.

And Mr. President, yun po siguro yung isang bagay na para sa akin, hindi ko pwedeng suportahan ang batas na ito kung hindi maisasabay  ang tulong na pinansyal sa ating mga kababayan doon sa pagtaas ng taxes ng napakaraming produkto sa ating bansa. And I hope, Mr. President, this no-vote will spur our agencies to work faster, and this is, of course, DOF, DSWD, and other concerned agencies, na sana po, hindi gaya ng sabi nila, na hindi kayang isabay ang programa doon po sa pagtaas ng presyo ng mga bilihin. Sana po mahanapan pa po nila ng paraan, na sa madaling panahon, masabay po nila yung programang tulong na pinansyal sa mga kababayan natin doon po sa pagtaas ng taxes sa napakaraming presyo, sa napakaraming bilihin sa ating bansa. And because of that, Mr. President, I, unfortunately, cannot support this measure. Thank you, Mr. President.

Sen. Bam votes to stop TRAIN from passing Congress

The tax reform package will increase prices for all Filipinos without the necessary safeguards to protect our poor countrymen.
 
This is the reason given by Senator Bam Aquino as he rejected the approval of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion or TRAIN.
 
While Sen. Bam is a co-author of the income tax reform bill and is in full support of increasing the take home pay of many Filipino working class, he voted no to the bundled tax reform package due to the provisions on excise tax on fuel and sweetened beverage tax, which will lead to higher prices of goods and services. 
 
“I cannot, in good conscience, vote for the approval of this tax reform package. Hindi ako pabor sa mga probisyon na magdudulot ng pagtaas ng presyo ng bilihin, lalo na dahil ang mga mahihirap na Pilipino ang pinaka tinatamaan dito,” said Sen. Bam on his no-vote for the tax reform package.
 
To cushion the blow to the poor, the Department of Finance proposed a cash transfer program with a P200 monthly financial assistance on the first year and P300 monthly financial assistance for the second and third year to help cover the increase in prices of basic goods.
 
But during the period of amendments in the Senate, Sen. Bam’s proposal requiring the financial assistance mechanism to be in place before taxes are increased was not accepted.
 
“Hindi dapat ipataw ang mga bagong tax na magpapataas ng presyo ng bilihin, tulad ng excise tax on fuel, hangga’t hindi nasisigurado ng gobyerno na magiging maayos ang unconditional cash transfer program,” Sen. Bam stressed.
 
The DOF admitted that they cannot implement the financial support program for poor families in time for the price increases because of TRAIN next year.
 
The senator also lamented that the government is forcing hardworking Filipinos to compensate for our inefficiency in tax collection of both the Bureau of Customs and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).
 
Based on data from the Finance Department, Sen. Bam said the government can still collect an additional P726 Billion or 6.44% of GDP if we simplify, address inefficiencies and remove loopholes in BIR.
 
The government can still collect at least P231 billion or equivalent of 2% of GDP if the P1.8 Trillion importation gap or smuggling is resolved by BOC.
 
“Para sa pamilyang Pilipino, lalo na para sa mga mahihirap nating kababayan, kontra po ako sa pagtaas ng buwis at pagtaas ng presyo,” Sen. Bam said.
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