THE Department of Public Works and Highways assured that despite the government’s suspension of fuel excise tax, it would not affect the build-build-build program of the Duterte administration.
DPWH Secretary Mark Villar, during a visit in Baguio City explained the move of the government in suspending the second tranche of the fuel excise tax deals more on the financial management aspect of the government and not on infrastructure development.
“That is different because that deals with finance, but the build-build-build program of this administration will continue with the suspension of the fuel excise tax having a minimal impact on the program,”Villar said.
The government suspended the implementation of the second tranche of fuel excise taxes under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) originally scheduled next year, to keep inflation in check.
“On the price of materials, there may probably have a minimal effect but not to the program. Our build-build-build program is all systems go,” Villar added.
The Department of Finance made the announcement two months before the time required by law, to "proactively anchor inflation expectations."
The DOF after consulting the leadership of both the Senate and the House of Representatives, as well as the economic team explained the President is confident this course of action will help anchor inflation expectations for the coming year, allow the public to manage their finances better, and disallow hoarders and profiteers from taking advantage of the situation.
Ernesto Pernia of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) have earlier said economic managers agreed to suspend the additional excise fuel taxes before it takes effect in January 2019.
Villar was the guest of honor and speaker during the 14 District Engineers League of the Philippines 14th annual convention held in the city last week.