Quote Originally Posted by mazdamazda
Have you read in full RA 9337? Especially about the still VAT exempt products (which covers basic food & services). If you are living in the province, with their farm to market methods, this has a minimal impact on them. Only those in Metro Manila & its suburbs would be affected as the cost of transporting goods would be higher.
How can you say that Filipinos living in the province will have minimal effect by it's implementation? Just to give you 1 example; did you know that Philippine Airlines will be charging 10 percent extra on sales of domestic passenger & cargo carriage in compliance to RA 9337? As the result of this, produce of the farmers will be much higher and subsequently ALL the consumer's will have to pay for it. Likewise, farmers will have additional burden of getting petroleum at a higher cost for their machines, higher maintenance cost, increased pesticide costs, et al. It is like a fire raging in the forest where one can't see where it is coming from.


FYI. The budget deficit for this year is projected to be around P200B. The P61.5B is still not enough to plug the gap.
Yes it is not enough to cover the budget deficit and that's what I said in my previous post "Additional Tax can serve a vital role in keeping in-check the budget deficit of our government; however, without accountability, they are little more ineffectual and cumbersome at taxpayers' expense." Moreover, the government can find other ways in plugging the hole without even passing the additional burden to the Filipino people. I can specify further more but I think you already know what I mean.


If you noticed, GMA's platform isn't even pro-big business. It is geared towards the development of SMEs.

Last year, the SULONG program lent already a total of P35B to some 300K SMEs. GMA proposed late last year that this fund be tripled. Microfinancing was also launched for poor women borrowers in which P6B was released. And almost 500K farmers received land.
Are you an Arroyo Government spokesperson? Just kidding! :D
Seriously, I don't think there is some sense of truth in what you've stated. Yes, The increase in micro-financing capability through self-help groups (SHGs) will enhance the prospects of the rural poor, SHGs have become an essential ingredient in rural development and economy's survival. However, ineffective organisation of decentralised production system and implementation will only further sustain distress among SME's and the likes.

The Philippines isn't just composed of Metro Manila.
Yes you are right! It is composed of each and every Filipino.
By the way, I stay and live in the Province as we speak.