House Speaker Faustino Dy III on Tuesday said the House of Representatives is ready to pass a measure authorizing President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to suspend excise taxes on fuel if global oil prices surge.
“Nakikiisa tayo sa layunin ng Pangulo na protektahan ang mga mamamayan laban sa epekto ng pagtaas ng presyo ng langis sa pandaigdigang merkado,” Dy said in a statement.
“Kung lalampas sa 80 dolyar kada bariles ang presyo ng Dubai crude, malinaw na mararamdaman ito ng ating mga kababayan—sa pamasahe, sa presyo ng pagkain, at sa iba pang pangunahing bilihin,” he added.
(We support the President’s goal of protecting the public from the impact of rising oil prices in the global market. If the price of Dubai crude goes beyond 80 dollars per barrel, our people will clearly feel it—in transport fares, in food prices, and in other basic goods.)
Dy said the House is prepared to coordinate with the Senate to review and, if necessary, amend existing laws to grant the President authority to lower fuel excise taxes during periods of sharp price increases.
“Kaya bukas ang Kamara na makipag-ugnayan sa Senado upang pag-aralan at, kung kinakailangan, amyendahan ang batas upang mabigyan ang Pangulo ng sapat na kapangyarihan na maibaba ang excise tax sa mga panahong may matinding pagtaas sa presyo ng langis,” he said.
(That’s why the House is open to coordinating with the Senate to study and, if necessary, amend the law so the President can be given enough authority to reduce the excise tax during periods of severe increases in oil prices.)
The Speaker also backed calls for energy conservation across government offices.
“Kasabay nito, suportado rin natin ang panawagan na ang lahat ng tanggapan ng pamahalaan ay magsagawa ng mga konkretong hakbang upang makatipid sa paggamit ng kuryente. With the uncertainty in the Middle East, everyone must contribute to energy conservation efforts. Kasama po ang Kongreso dito,” Dy said.
(Alongside this, we also support the call for all government offices to take concrete steps to save on electricity use. With the uncertainty in the Middle East, everyone must contribute to energy conservation efforts. Congress is part of this as well.)
“Sa huli, sa gitna ng hamon na kinahaharap natin, kailangan kumilos ang pamahalaan nang may malasakit, may pananagutan, at may kahandaan. Ang Kamara ay handang gampanan ang tungkulin nito upang matiyak na ang kapakanan ng mamamayan ang mananatiling pangunahing prayoridad,” he added.
(In the end, amid the challenges we are facing, the government must act with compassion, accountability, and readiness. The House is prepared to fulfill its duty to ensure that the welfare of the people remains the top priority.)
Meanwhile, Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco filed House Resolution 0004 urging the President to temporarily suspend the collection of the 12-percent value-added tax (VAT) on fuel products amid the ongoing conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States.
“The continuing conflict is expected to cause significant increases in fuel prices, which will in turn also affect the price of basic commodities,” Tiangco said.
“A temporary suspension of the VAT on fuel products is necessary to help consumers cope with the undue economic burden during this period of conflict,” he added.
Tiangco noted that Iran is a member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and warned that the conflict threatens global oil supply and market stability.
“While the government has already allocated fuel subsidies for public utility vehicle drivers and operators, as well as assistance for farmers and fisherfolk, it may not be enough. It is imperative for the national government to safeguard the welfare of the Filipino people by mitigating the economic impact of volatile fuel prices,” he said.
