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[av_heading heading=’Transpo must gain from new tax law – Angara ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
BY PRINCE GOLEZ
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MANILA – Revenue derived from the tax reform law must be used to fund the improvement of transportation infrastructures, particularly the rail system, stressed Sen. Juan Edgardo Angara.
The Metro Rail Transit (MRT) 3, for one, broke down at least 500 times in 2017 due to technical problems, Angara said.
“The TRAIN (Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion) law should fix our trains,” he said. “Hindi na po makatarungan na libu-libong pasahero ang naaagrabyado dahil sa madalas na despalinghadong serbisyo ng ating MRT at LRT (Light Rail Transit).”
An estimated 463,000 people on average uses the MRT every day.
The lack of available spare parts was one of the causes of the MRT’s frequent breakdowns, according to the Department of Transportation.
“Dapat siguruhin ng gobyerno na ang makokolektang buwis ay mapupunta sa mga programang mapakikinabangan ng bawat Pilipino,” Angara said.
Under Republic Act 10963, 70 percent of incremental revenues from TRAIN will be allocated to the “Build, Build, Build” and other infrastructure programs aimed at solving traffic congestion.
Part of the 70 percent will fund projects enhancing military infrastructure, sports facilities in public schools, and potable drinking water supply in all public places, Angara said.
The remaining revenue will go to social mitigating measures and investments in education, health, targeted nutrition, and anti-hunger programs, social protection, employment, and housing, said the chairman of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means.
Providing an “efficient, dependable, safe, and affordable public transport system” would encourage more Filipinos to take mass transit rather than use their own cars, and thereby reduce traffic congestion, said Angara./PN
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