A measure that seeks the exemption of sugar, bread, canned goods, and other essential commodities from value added tax (VAT) has been filed by Makabayan solons led by Gabriela Women’s Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas.
Brosas and her fellow Makabayan bloc lawmakers ACT-Teachers Rep. France Castro and Kabataan Rep. Raoul Manuel filed the measure amid rising inflation rates and the rapidly increasing cost of goods.
READ: https://mb.com.ph/2022/10/05/inflation-quickens-to-6-9-in-sept/
House Bill (HB) 5504 proposes the removal of the 12 percent VAT from the following: Bread, raw and refined sugar, cooking oil, salt, canned goods, instant noodles, biscuits, laundry soap and detergent, charcoal, candles, and drugs classified as essential by the Department of Health (DOH).
"Removing the 12 percent VAT on basic goods consumed by poor families on a regular basis will dramatically ease their economic suffering amid skyrocketing prices, massive joblessness and depressed wages. Kung P100 ang presyo ng kada kilo ng refined sugar halimbawa, P12 agad ang mababawas sa presyo nito (If one kilo of refined sugar costs P100, for example, P12 will immediately be deducted from its price)," Assistant Minority Leader Brosas said on Wednesday, Oct. 12.
"Instead of asking consumers to control their purchases, it is the government's responsibility to provide concrete solutions to address high prices. Ito dapat ang gawing prayoridad sa halip na iratsada ang mga panukalang walang kinalaman sa pagkalam ng sikmura ng mga mahihirap (This should be the priority instead of pushing policies which have nothing to do with feeding the poor),” she added.