CEBU City – President Rodrigo Duterte is determined to continue with the implementation of the Tax Reform Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law, citing the increasing need for a bigger budget to fund other newly approved legislations.
The President said that the government needs to identify a stable source of funding to fully realize the laws that give subsidies and incentives to the poor.
“Asa man ko mukuha og free tuition? Pagpalit og medisina? Asa man nako na kuhaon Pantawid? Asa man nako kuhaon eh di sa TRAIN (Where will I get the free tuition? for free medicine? For Pantawid (4Ps program)? It’s from the TRAIN),” Duterte said in a speech in Cebu.
Duterte gave this pronouncement despite critics lashing out at the administration, attributing the increase in fuel prices to the excise tax imposed on imported petroleum products.
Those critical of the law said this resulted to the ballooning prices of other commodities.
The President also reiterated his promise to increase the salary of public school teachers, as well as members of the Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Duterte, however, clarified this will only happen if they can find a budget for it.
“Mga maestra paghuwat lang mo, pero wala pa tay kwarta pero kamu na sunod (Teachers, you wait. We still need to find money, but you will be next),” Duterte said. (ABS-CBN News)
