No matter where you live in Cebu, Central Visayas or any other part of the country, one cannot escape the Tax Reform Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN), the full effects of which will be felt after Jan. 15 this year.
But even before the start of this Year of The Dog — the Chinese New Year starts next month — the volume of complaints rose to near fever pitch after critics pointed to the increase in fuel prices due to the excise taxes as the fuse that will set off an across-the-board flurry of price increases on all basic and prime commodities in a few weeks’ time.
In fact there had been reports that the oil firms were about to raise their fuel prices either yesterday or sometime this week by citing the depletion of their stocks as their reason. The depletion may have been caused no doubt by anxious motorists stocking up on their supplies while the prices are cheap in order to start the New Year loaded and ready to go.
This would render inutile the reminder by the government’s Departments of Energy and Trade and Industry to oil firms and gasoline stations not to raise their fuel prices at least until the country’s present inventory runs out at the end of the month.
Little wonder then that transport groups are lining up at the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to file their petitions for a fare rate increase. So far the fare rate increase hovers in the range between P10 to P12.50 for passenger jeepneys while taxis may soon have their own fare rate petitions despite the recent approval of their fare rate increase late last year.
As consumers, it’s up to us to be vigilant and report any unjustified increase in prices to the government agencies concerned. But as for any complaint forwarded to government, the chances of it being resolved is nil.
We look to the DTI and other agencies to give us not just verbal assurances but direct action against abusive stores and outlets that will use the TRAIN to impose additional charges on us, the buying the public. Based on their track record, it’s not reassuring to say the least.
There are consumer groups but these are few and far between. And the violators have both time, money and resources at their disposal and they would just wait out until the complainants tire of the proceedings and simply drop the case, further encouraging them to commit more violations in the future.
Aside from monitoring and reporting violations, it’s now time for the average consumer who is assured by this administration of a bigger take home pay to reassess his or her budget and spending. TRAIN is supposed to impose higher taxes on products considered as luxury items at least in theory.
As more information pours in concerning the TRAIN, the average taxpayer who expects his or her taxes to be fully used to pursue the Duterte administration’s ambitious infrastructure program may wonder rightly if what is happening now is a “bigay-bawi (give-take)” situation, where the bigger take home pay will only give the illusion of a thicker wallet but in reality will force Filipino households to adopt a skin-and-bones budget just to survive.
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