Palace expects DOF reco on fuel excise tax this week— solon

MANILA — The Office of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expects to receive the Department of Finance’s recommendation on fuel excise tax within the week, according to OP’s budget sponsor at the House of Representatives, Bataan 2nd District Rep. Albert Garcia.

He added that the President will “most likely” announce his decision on the matter next week.

The Department of Energy previously submitted a certification that the one-month average price of Dubai crude oil has reached the $80-per-barrel threshold, which is a requirement under the law for the government to consider suspending or reducing excise taxes on petroleum products.

“Hinihintay lang ng ating executive ang recommendation ng Department of Finance, as this is part of the process para i-consider kung ano ang gagawin dito sa excise tax, and I think in a matter of days ay makakarating na po ‘yung recommendation ng Department of Finance sa executive for the appropriate action,” Garcia said.

“The recommendation of the Department of Finance will probably reach the Office of the President within this week, and most likely we will have an announcement early next week,” he added.

Garcia stated this in response to Gabriela Party List Representative Sarah Elago’s question regarding Finance Secretary Frederick Go’s announcement that he signed a resolution suspending the excise tax on LPG and kerosene, but is not inclined to recommend the suspension of excise tax on diesel and gasoline, saying this would be “not progressive” and would result in an estimated monthly revenue loss of P12 billion.

Garcia noted that the government is also providing assistance to critical sectors affected by the energy crisis.

“Marami rin pong ginagawang assistance at tulong ang Office of the President sa critical sectors na naapektuhan nitong krisis sa enerhiya ng ating magsasaka, transport groups, fisherfolks and most vulnerable members of our communities,” he said.

“Hindi po lahat ay nabibigyan ng tulong, hindi po lahat ay nabibigyan ng ayuda. Maski ang ibinibigay natin na subsidies ay kulang na kulang para sa ating mga drivers, magsasaka, mga mangingisda. Kaya ang pagsuspinde, sa totoo lang ng excise tax sa LPG at kerosene ay welcome, ngunit  hindi pa po talaga sapat na hakbang sa ngayon,” Elago replied.

“Dapat gamitin ng Pangulo ‘yung emergency powers na mabilis din naipasa dito sa Kongreso, na naibigay sa kanya upang suspendehin ang excise taxes sa lahat ng produktong petrolyo, hindi lang sa LPG at kerosene,” she asserted.

Elago also inquired whether the Office of the President supports the establishment of a national minimum wage that is based on the national family living wage.

Garcia did not give a direct answer, but said the increase in minimum wage is higher compared to the increase in inflation.