MANILA – Senators are heading to Iloilo City to discuss the impact of the government’s tax reform program on public services and utilities.
The Senate Committee on Public Services will hold a public hearing on May 25 at the Iloilo provincial capitol.
Sen. Grace Poe sought for the inquiry citing the rise in the prices of commodities attributed to the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law, which imposed additional excise tax on fuel.
“’Di ba sa ibang probinsya mas mataas ang binabayad nila? Ayaw naman natin ng ganoon,” said Poe. “Isa pa iyong mga nagmamaneho ng mga jeep, nagmamaneho ng taxi, at ng bus doon sa mga probinsya na iyan, lahat naman kailangang marinig.”
The creation of more Land Transportation Office (LTO) branches in the Visayas and the franchise applications of various broadcast companies in the region will also be discussed during the hearing.
“Minsan hindi sila nakakapunta sa Maynila para mapakinggan kaya kung pupunta kami sa Iloilo, ito’y pagkakataon na rin sa ating mga kababayan at kapatid diyan sa Visayas na makilahok sa ating pagdinig,” said Poe.
Attending are Finance secretary Carlos Dominguez III, National Economic and Development Authority secretary Ernesto Pernia, Securities and Exchange Commission chairwoman Teresita Herbosa, National Telecommunications Commission chairman Gamaliel Cordoba, and Philippine Competition Commission chairman Arsenio Balisacan.
The following also confirmed their attendance: LTO assistant secretary Edgar Galvante, Iloilo’s Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. and Vice Gov. Christine Garin, LTO Region 6 director Roland Ramos and the officer-in-charge of the administrative division Ma. Nanette De Ocampo, LTO Region 7 director Victor Emmanuel Caindec and the acting chief of the administrative division Lovelien Dongallo, Bohol Chronicle Radio Corp. president Peter Dejaresco, Bohol Chronicle Radio Corp. Board of Director and editor Zoilo Dejaresco III, Radio Marine Network, Inc. chairman and president Segundo Lustre Jr., Radio Marine Network, Inc. director and vice president Regis Abuel, and Volunteer LifeCare Ministries, Inc. chief executive officer Tirso Jamandre III./PN