President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday rejected calls to suspend the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) amid inflation and the rising prices of fuel products.
“Some have incorrectly blamed our efforts toward a fairer tax system for all the price increases in the past months, and some irresponsibly suggesting to stop TRAIN’s implementation. We cannot and should not. We need this for sustainable growth that leaves no Filipino left behind,” Duterte said in his third State of the Nation Address (Sona) at the House of Representatives in Quezon City.
He lauded Congress for the landmark passage of the tax reform law, which he said “made funds available to build better roads and bridges, and improve health and education, and strengthen our safety and security.”
“TRAIN is already helping poor families and senior citizens cope with rising prices. We have distributed unconditional cash transfers to four million people, and we will help six million more this year,” he said.
He even urged Congress to pass the second TRAIN package.
“This matter is urgent. Do not be part of the problem by ignoring it. I hope to sign Package 2 before the year ends, I urge Congress to pass it in a form that satisfies our goals and serves the interests of the many, not just the wealthy few,” he said.
“I urge Congress to take them seriously and pass them in succession, for there is no chance that we can deliver our promises without an equitable tax system,” he added.