Expedite release of Train benefits – solon

After inflation went up to 4.6 percent in May, a lawmaker on Tuesday called on government agencies to expedite the roll out of social benefits mandated under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (Train) Law.

Quirino Rep. Dakila Carlo “Dax” Cua, chair of the House committee on ways and means, said he was set to meet with government agencies to discuss the implementation of these social benefits.

“Regardless of the causes, the effects of price increases are more pronounced on those who have less income. They are the families who can barely get by and urgently need help from government,” Cua said in a statement.

“The Committee is arranging a roundtable discussion with the implementing agencies to discuss the delays and come up with a way forward,” he added.

Earlier Tuesday, the government reported that inflation, or the rate of increase in prices of basic goods, rose to 4.6 percent in May. They attributed the high inflation to higher prices of fish and seafood, fuel and lubricants, as well as bread and cereals.

READ: Inflation hits fresh over 5-year-high of 4.6% in May

Under Section 82 of the Train Law, jeepney franchise holders are entitled to fuel vouchers; minimum-wage earners and the poorest 50 percent of the population are qualified for fare discounts, rice discounts and free skills training, while a total of 10 million low-income households will each receive P200 per month this year and P300 per month in 2019 and 2020.

But Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat said these subsidies under the Train Law were “not even enough to meet the average daily needs of the poor families who are suffering from the impacts of the law.”

Baguilat said Congress should instead “review the law and repeal the provisions on excise taxes on fuel.”

“I still think that better revenue collection efficiency and luxury taxes are the better options for the reputed Build Build Build program,” he also noted. /cbb