Editorial

Behind the gift: 2018 budget & TRAIN

President Duterte signed and offered the 2018 P3.77 trillion budget and the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion or TRAIN as gifts for the Filipino people. These we hope would reach the intended parties through proper management and utilization of funds which are people’s money.

What are in store for us? The budget includes additional remunerations for the men in uniform: the personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police. We pray that they continue to be our defenders and keepers of the peace with vowed professionalism. Other civil personnel would get a pay hike by tranches. This also covers free tuition for students in state universities and colleges and we pray they become more scholarly and committed to their respective careers. Here’s hoping that those in the private sector will also get their corresponding pay increases.

The budget also covers widened infrastructure projects, era of golden infrastructures, and social services to mention health and economic upliftment plus additives to the Conditional Cash Transfer program, one of which is the 4Ps for indigent families so they can go through their lives and be better off in the long run.

One package under the TRAIN is exempting from taxation for those earning not more than P250,000 a year. We hope that income earners would use the huge savings for good --- emergency fund and future investment. But we have to brace for higher price ceilings following added excise taxes on commodities such as sweetened beverages and petroleum products. This would affect sales and consumption. Never mind those addicted to cigarettes, alcoholic drinks, and sweets whose prices will further spiral up but health is wealth guys. Transport groups are now asking for higher pay hike and motorists will carry the brunt of higher fuel prices. These added excise taxes will earn for us the necessary revenues essential for public services. This means responsible spending and wise and practicable use of earnings.

If the 2018 budget is meant for better public service, then it is a gift. Of course, we desist imposition of more taxes but revenues have to be raised to further fill the coffer for expenditures in public service. So be prudent in spending and check if revenues land to their intended destinations. Life is full of adjustments and we have to give meaning to these changes, adjustments, or alterations.

Are the 2018 budget and TRAIN really pro-people and pro-poor? Let’s see when we cruise another year.