MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang clarified on Monday that the Smartcards to be distributed among public transport jeepneys and motorcycles will not be distributed this week but in May. Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda made the clarification at the press briefing in Malacañang on Monday.
“The procurement and the bidding out of the cards are being done right now. So by May 1 or 2, lalabas po ang Smartcards,” Lacierda said.
Lacierda said the President’s economic team is still studying all options to cushion the effects of the rising fuel costs and of other basic commodities. He said the economic team may be sending their report to the President possibly within the week.
The options include the possible lowering of the value added tax (VAT) on oil prices.
Lacierda, however, said some of the members of the economic team are not for the lowering of the VAT for fear that it may lead to a bigger budget deficit.
“Our investors and our credit ratings will also be affected by this,” he added.
The transport group Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (Piston) had been clamoring for the reduction of the current 12 percent VAT on oil products instead of the fuel subsidy.
Madel Sabater, Manila Bulletin
