Starex readies for anti-Train protests

By NITZ ARANCON
Correspondent . 

 PUBLIC transport group in northern Mindanao is preparing to launch street protests here next month in an effort to pressure the Duterte administration into scrapping the excise tax on oil after the second phase of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (Train) law took effect on New Year’s Day.

The Solidarity of Transport Alliance in Region 10 (Starex) said public transportation groups across the country have started mobilizing and organizing for a mass action planned to be simultaneously carried out this February.

The second phase of the implementation of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (Train) law would mean an additional tax of P2 more for every liter of diesel and gasoline, an additional P1 per liter of kerosene, and P1 more for each kilogram of liquefied petroleum gas. It took effect on New Year’s Day.

Groups like Starex see more Filipino families to become more impoverished this year as a result of the Train law.

Ringo Lago, Starex secretary general, called for public support for the nationwide protests being planned for next month.

The public transportation sector, he said, would be the first to feel the effects of the second tranche of the Train law, and then increased fuel prices would have a domino effect on other sectors.

While Starex is not against the Duterte administration’s “Build, Build, Build” program, Lago expressed apprehensions on its costs and how the government plans to shoulder these.

Lago said the government would pass on the burden to citizens.

He said the Duterte administration, based on a study, would borrow some P9 trillion for the “Build, Build, Build” program which is why it needs the Train law.

“Ma-o na nga ilang gihimo ang Train law aron patongan sa excise tax ang petroleum products kay ang  makoliktang buhis gikan sa Train law, ma-o may ilang ibayad sa ilang utang,” Lago said.

He called the Train law “anti-poor” that already has had adverse effects on public vehicle owners and drivers, and other sectors, especially the poor.