Business groups buck suspension of oil, electricity taxes

MANILA, Philippines — Eight business organizations are urging presidential candidates looking to suspend oil and electricity taxes to reconsider their stand and push instead for targeted assistance for certain sectors, citing the need for government revenues for pandemic response and to support economic recovery.

The Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines, Foundation for Economic Freedom, Go Negosyo, Investment Houses Association of the Philippines, Makati Business Club, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Philippine Retailers Association and the Subdivision and Housing Developers Association made the call yesterday in a statement.

“We understand the desire to bring relief to the public and offset rising inflation. However, instead of a blanket suspension or reduction in taxes, we urge them to consider tried and tested targeted measures to assist sectors and citizens who need it most,” the groups said.

By having targeted measures, the groups said the impact on government revenue would be limited.

The groups emphasized the government needs funds to continue to address the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and accelerate economic recovery, as well as job creation.

The groups said public utility vehicles (PUV) account for only around 30 percent of total diesel consumption.

As such, the benefit of a blanket suspension on the oil tax would go to those who don’t operate or use PUVs.

“These are funds that the government could and should use on public services that would most benefit lower income and vulnerable Filipinos,” the groups said.

The groups said targeted measures like subsidies to the transport sector would help offset the impact of fuel price increases.

Subsidies would also allow PUV operators to earn decent income without having to raise costs for the commuting public.

The groups said targeted measures could likewise cover cash transfers to low-income communities.

Such cash transfers can also take advantage of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program and social amelioration program systems.

Earlier, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, who is running for president in next year’s elections, said he plans to cut by 50 percent the tax on petroleum products, as well as on electricity to help consumers and enterprises.

Other presidential aspirants former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Sen. Panfilo Lacson have also called on the government to suspend excise taxes on oil.

Voter education

Meanwhile, poll watchdog Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) is set to formally launch today its nationwide voter education campaign in an effort to guide the public in choosing the right leaders in the 2022 elections.

The PPCRV, affiliated with the Catholic Church, is scheduled to hold a series of online forums this month to launch its voter education campaign per region.

The campaign will center on discussions of the 16 values of a “Maka Pilipinas” (Pro-Philippines) leader that voters must look for in candidates.

For today, the campaign will focus on voters in Luzon excluding the National Capital Region (NCR).

The campaign will be launched for voters in the Visayas and NCR on Nov. 13 and for voters in Mindanao and other stakeholders on Nov. 20.

The PPCRV held a “train the trainers” online summit last Oct. 30 to prepare its volunteers who will participate in the nationwide launch of the voter’s education program. Unveiled during the training was the Voter’s Education Module, wherein the 16 values that voters themselves must practice and look for in the country’s next leaders, were discussed.

“Our module focuses on the 16 values that are enshrined in our Constitution. We believe that through living and sharing of this basic values not only by ourselves but especially by our candidates can our national vision of improving moral standards in government and society be achieved,” PPCRV national chair Myla Villanueva said at a virtual training forum.

In campaign videos titled “MakaPilipinas Anthem” and “Panatang MakaPilipinas” posted on its Facebook account yesterday, the PPCRV enjoined voters to look for values in choosing the country’s next leaders, like being God-fearing, humane, just, peace loving, patriotic and clearness of vision, among others. – Elizabeth Marcelo