By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
Amid mounting calls to remove the value added tax (VAT) from petroleum products to help the common folk cope with rising fuel prices, Malacañang stressed the importance of striking the right balance between the needs of the masses and funding various government projects and initiatives.
In a briefing on Monday, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said that the administration is performing a delicate balancing act to ensure unhampered operations while launching interventions to cushion the public from the repercussions of the energy emergency.
This, in response to calls from the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) to abolish VAT from fuel products to prevent businesses from incurring rising energy expenses noting triple-digit prices at fuel stations and rising costs of purchasing liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanks.
“Ang Pangulo po kasi, binabalanse po ang lahat, katulad ng sinabi natin, ang buwis din ay kailangan para sa pondo ng gobyerno para meron pa pong iba pang mga prayoridad, meron pa pong mga proyektong dapat din pong tapusin, at inilalaan po ang ibang pondo para po sa pag-ease or paglessen ng impact nitong krisis sa Middle East.”
Castro moreover added that the decision to grant emergency powers to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to suspend VAT on fuel products requires a corresponding legislation from lawmakers in Congress, declining to comment on any further action from the President.
She, however, cited that the government is looking to double down on harnessing renewable energy sources as part of its long-term plan to drive down fuel prices and reduce its heavy reliance on imported petroleum products.
“Matagal na po itong pinag-uusapan lalo na po nung nangyari itong sigalot sa Middle East. Sinasabi nga rin po ni [Energy] Secretary Sharon Garin na dapat nating palawakin, palakasin ang renewable energy. Isa po ito sa talagang tinututukan po ng gobyerno.”
Malacañang’s mouthpiece wrapped up her remarks by declining to further comment on other related queries, instead compiling these questions for them to be answered at the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) Committee meeting on Tuesday.
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