The proposed P200 monthly aid for poor Filipino families will not be enough amid the surging oil prices, aspiring vice president Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan said as he called for the suspension of excise tax on fuel products.
"Kulang pa ito sa minimum na pamasahe sa jeep at sa bus. Hindi pa makakabili ng isang pirasong itlog (This is not even enough for the minimum fare on jeepney and bus. This can't even buy one piece of egg)," Pangilinan lamented Wednesday, March 16.
"Ginagawa namang mas kaawa-awa ang ating mga kababayan. Bakit tinitipid ang mahihirap gayung bilyon-bilyon ang kita sa fuel taxes (They are only making the people pitiful. Why are they giving measly amount to the poor when we are earning billions from fuel taxes)?" he added.
According to the Department of Finance (DOF), the oil excise tax take in 2021 amounted to P143.9 billion.
"Paano nasisikmura ng gobyerno na kumita ng ganito kalaki habang ang pinipiga naman ay ang mahihirap (How can the government stomach earning this huge while pressing on the poor)," the lawmaker stressed.
The DOF proposed providing a P200 monthly "ayuda" to poor households in a year in a bid to ease the impact of high fuel prices.
It also recommended retaining the excise tax on oil products.
Pangilinan is opposing the move and called on the government to suspend the excise tax on oil products.
"Bababa ang presyo ng produktong petrolyo, mas marami ang makikinabang, makakagaan ito nang kaunti sa araw-araw na paghihirap ng ating mga kababayan (Prices of oil products will decrease, more will benefit from it, as it will ease people's daily suffering)," he said.
"We only need President Duterte's signature to suspend fuel excise tax," he said, echoing Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon's remark on the issue.