GWP Files Urgent Bill to Exempt from EVAT Products Poor Families Consume on a Daily Basis

“Over the past several months, we have been deluged with complaints from our constituents who are mostly women from the poorest of the poor that the economic burdens they carry are too much to bear. If at all their husbands are currently employed, the much-expected wage increase last May 1 did not materialize. In the face of increasing prices of basic necessities and prime commodities, as well as oil and petroleum products, how far will the P22 ECOLA go?” pointed out Gabriela Women’s Party Representative Emmi de Jesus.

“This is precisely the reason why we filed House Bill 4704 urging Congress to exempt oil and petroleum products, as well as prime commodities and basic necessities from the imposition of EVAT. EVAT is a heavy burden for the poor because it further decreases their capacity to buy food and other basic necessities for the family,” rejoined Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Luz Ilagan.

“Women are the first to feel the crunch of increase in prices of basic commodities and services. And as the family budget shrinks, food becomes scarce, access to basic health services nil, and education, a luxury. It is under these circumstances that Gabriela Women’s Party seeks the urgent action of the House of Representatives on this bill, seeking to amend Section 4 of RA 9337. Six years after former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed into law RA 9337, House Bill 4704 is an overdue relief measure for the poor families and workers amid incessant price increases in VAT-burdened commodities and services,” De Jesus explained.

“Patuloy na kinukuba ng VAT ang mahihirap nating kababayan. Huwag na nating hintaying mabali pa ang kanilang mga gulugod sa kakaproblema kung paano itatawid ang kanilang mga pamilya sa harap ng walang habas na krisis ng kahirapan,” ended Ilagan.