Spare freeport from Train, traders ask gov’t

Tax reform, a campaign promise of President Duterte, has finally taken shape, increasing taxes on some commodities like soft drinks. NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

CLARK FREEPORT — The Clark Investors and Locators Association (Cila) asked the national government to retain the tax-free privilege enjoyed by businesses here in succeeding packages of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (Train) Law, or Republic Act (RA) No. 10963.

The Bases Conversion and Development Act (RA 7227), as amended by RA 9400, exempted businesses registered here from paying national and local taxes but required them to pay a 5-percent gross income tax.

Ireneo Alvaro, Cila chair, said the 5-percent tax “should not be touched because it is one of the perks given by law.”

“Removing it is like a breach of contract,” Alvaro said at a media forum here. —Tonette Orejas