Palace: VAT proceeds to be used for better social services
By Aurea Calica (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines – Amid public outcry over the imposition of the value-added tax (VAT) on toll yesterday, Malacañang tried to console the public by saying the funds would be used for better social services.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte reiterated over state radio dzRB that the VAT on toll was contained in a Supreme Court decision that the executive branch was bound to implement.

“Our commitment here is, according to our computation, the impact on goods and services will be very minimal and we will be watching those who will be increasing their prices beyond the computations that we have set,” Valte said.

“So we will not hesitate to go after those who will abuse and use the excuse of the VAT on toll to unduly increase their prices,” she said.

Valte said the government needed the additional revenues for social services and certainly, “we will make the people feel where their taxes are going.”

“We will ensure that these (taxes) will not go to where it is not supposed to go, that these are utilized properly. If you can see, the DBM (Department of Budget and Management) has taken every pain and every effort to make sure that public funds are spent wisely,” Valte said.

Read full article @ www.philstar.com

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