Abalos: Pag tinanggal ibang fuel taxes, papasok manufacturers, trabaho sa Pinoy
SENATORIAL aspirant Atty. Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. has proposed the scrapping taxes on fuel used exclusively for power generation, arguing that the move would lower electricity costs, attract more manufacturing firms, and create jobs for Filipinos.
Speaking before a crowd of supporters in the vote-rich province of Cavite, Abalos said that high energy prices have long been a barrier to the country’s competitiveness, particularly in manufacturing. Cavite is home to about 55 economic zones and industrial estates under PEZA.
Abalos emphasized that cheap electricity and a business-friendly environment are key to strengthening the country’s manufacturing sector and solving unemployment.
“Kung aalisin mo ang buwis sa fuel na ginagamit exclusively for power generation, bababa ang presyo ng kuryente. At kapag bumaba ang presyo ng kuryente, papasok ang manufacturing firms — ibig sabihin, trabaho para sa mga Pilipino,” he stressed.
“Kung gusto mong dumami ang trabaho, kailangan marami kang factories, marami kang negosyo,” Abalos said. “Kaya ito ang sinasabi ko pa noong 2005 — tutol ako sa VAT sa kuryente,” he added.
Abalos pointed out that electricity rates in the Philippines are among the most expensive in Asia, making the country less attractive to potential investors.
“Kung makakalikot natin ito, kung matatanggal natin ang ibang buwis sa kuryente, malaking bagay ito para sa mga manufacturing firms na pumasok sa Pilipinas,” he added.
“Yung excise tax natin sa fuel mataas din. Ipagpalagay na lang natin na ‘yong fuel na ito ay ginagamit sa power generation, kung tatanggalan natin ng buwis sa fuel purely used for power generation, bababa talaga ang singil sa kuryente,” Abalos said.
“This was what I stood for when I was a congressman in 2005, and I still stand by it today. We need comprehensive solutions to create jobs and lift more Filipinos out of poverty,” Abalos said.
Abalos cited, for instance, that island provinces dependent on diesel-powered generators pay significantly higher electricity rates—ranging from P17 to P19 per kilowatt-hour—compared to the average of about P11 in Metro Manila.
If elected to the Senate, Abalos vowed to champion legislation that would remove value-added tax (VAT) on electricity and taxes on fuel used exclusively for power generation.
He also stressed that efforts to lower electricity costs must go hand in hand with broader reforms to improve the business environment, including the digitalization of government services to streamline business processes.
“Let’s create an environment that’s business-friendly. Digital portals, online applications, mabilis ang processing time. Huliin ang mga nanghihingi ng pera. These things go together,” he stressed.
“All of these things go together,” he said. “Sa Senado, may magagawa tayo — we can craft laws and use our oversight function to make this happen.”
