Senator Win Gatchalian said the proposed suspension of the excise tax on petroleum products, once enacted into law, should not derail spending on the government’s most important programs for social services, education, and health.
“The reality is that there will be a tradeoff. But we should not sacrifice government support for social services, education, and health,” said Gatchalian, vice-chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, during a public hearing on the proposed measure to suspend the excise tax on petroleum products as conflict in the Middle East rages on.
The Department of Finance says the proposed measure could cost P136 billion in revenue if implemented from May to December this year.
Gatchalian, chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, also asked the Department of Budget and Management for a list of projects or programs that could be scaled back to cover the revenue gap from the excise tax suspension.
“The DBM should identify specific areas where the government can scrimp. These items could include less travel for government personnel, lower fuel and electricity consumption as some government agencies begin implementing a four-day work week,” he added.
Gatchalian: Suspensyon ng Excise Tax sa Produktong Petrolyo Hindi Dapat Makasagabal sa Gastusin para sa Social Services, Edukasyon, Kalusugan
Sinabi ni Senador Win Gatchalian na ang iminumungkahing suspensyon ng excise tax sa mga produkto ng petrolyo, kapag naging batas, ay hindi dapat maging hadlang sa pagpopondo ng gobyerno para sa mahahalagang programa sa social services, edukasyon, at kalusugan.
“Siguradong may tradeoff yan. Ngunit hindi natin dapat isakripisyo ang suporta ng pamahalaan para sa social services, edukasyon, at kalusugan,” ani Gatchalian, na tumatayong vice-chair ng Senate Committee on Ways and Means, sa gitna ng pagdinig tungkol sa panukalang isuspinde ang excise tax habang nagpapatuloy ang sigalot sa Gitnang Silangan.
Ayon sa Department of Finance, maaaring umabot sa P136 bilyon ang mawawalang kita ng pamahalaan kung ipatutupad ang nasabing panukala mula Mayo hanggang Disyembre ng taong ito.
Hiniling din ni Gatchalian, na siya ring chairperson ng Senate Committee on Finance, sa Department of Budget and Management (DBM) ang listahan ng mga proyekto o programa na maaaring bawasan ang pondo upang punan ang kakulangan sa kita bunsod ng suspensyon ng excise tax.
“Dapat tukuyin ng DBM ang mga partikular na aspeto kung saan maaaring magtipid ang gobyerno. Maaaring kabilang dito ang pagbabawas sa pagbigyahe ng mga tauhan ng gobyerno, at mas mababang pagkonsumo ng gasolina at kuryente lalo’t sinisimulan na ng ilang ahensya ng gobyerno ang pagpapatupad ng four-day work week,” dagdag pa niya.
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Photo by Mark Cayabyab / OS WIN GATCHALIAN
