Roxas: Gov't should sacrifice, not the people

Contrary to what was presented during the SONA last Monday, Senator Mar Roxas said the value-added tax (VAT) on oil is not the “be-all and end-all” in solving widespread poverty and hunger.

“Removing the VAT on oil will not spell the end of government social programs. Hindi SONA ang nangyari kahapon kundi isandaang dahilan kung bakit dapat ipagpatuloy ang VAT sa langis (What happened yesterday was not a SONA but a hundred reasons why VAT on oil should continue),” he said.

“Bakit naman na ang sentro ng buong programa ng Pangulo at ng gobyerno ay itong VAT sa langis, na decimal point lang sa buong budget ng gobyerno? (Why was VAT on oil the center of the President’s and the government’s whole program, while it’s only a decimal point of the whole budget?)” he added.

The Liberal Party President said the country’s leadership should do what is most appropriate to face the crisis its people face everyday. Unfortunately, he said the government is sticking to a solution that worked to solve a previous problem--the fiscal crisis--but is now an added burden to consumers and the transport sector.

“Kung tayo ang namumuno, ang gobyerno ang magsasakripisyo at hindi ang mamamayan. Gobyerno ang magsisikap na ayusin ang koleksyon at alisin ang mga gastusing hindi kailangan, hindi sasakalin lalo ang naghihingalong mamamayan (If we’re in charge, the government would be the one to sacrifice and not the people. The government should be striving to make collections and spending efficiently, and not further choking our people),” he said.

“The government must make a sacrifice by removing VAT on oil, improving collections of taxes and duties, and plugging the leaks in government spending. That’s the ‘tough decision’ that the government has yet to make,” he stressed.

“Now, the situation is different. We should not close our eyes or refuse to listen to other opinions and continue taking a medicine that’s not appropriate anymore,” he added.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Trade and Industry also stressed that the P80-billion foregone revenue estimate of government if Oil VAT is removed is the result of “wrong arithmetic,” as this does not take into consideration the 45% of Oil VAT that can be recovered by the government from manufacturers after a few months.

“The government could again collect VAT when people consume using the savings when we remove VAT on oil. So instead of continuing to squeeze our people dry so that the government will have money to give away, why don’t we just leave this VAT on oil in the hands or pockets of our people?” he said.

Tuesday, July 29, 2008 | posted in e-vat, food crisis, mar roxas, oil, pgma, philippines, president, sona, transport sector | 0 comments [ More ]

Senator Roxas seeks exemption of OFWs from documentary stamp taxes

Now here’s good news for Overseas Filipino workers and their families, who are burdened by a weaker United States dollar and rising costs of goods.

Senator Mar Roxas is seeking to remove the documentary stamp tax from remittances of OFWs, to give them greater purchasing power amid this time of skyrocketing prices of food and transport.

At present, for every remittance an OFW makes, a DST of 0.15% is collected by the government. “To some, the imposition may be minuscule and insignificant. But to OFWs and their families, such imposition becomes another financial burden,” said Roxas, author of Senate Bill No. 2479, that removes the DST on OFW remittances.

He noted how at present, market prices of basic commodities have increased significantly, with chicken already at P120 per kilo, beef brisket at P180 per kilo, pork liempo at P170 per kilo, and bangus and tilapia at P80-P90 per kilo, all of which have increased by an average of P10 compared to the prices in 2007.

“Every peso saved can make a big difference for the average Filipino family. Removing the DST from OFW remittances can enable the families of overseas workers buy additional food or save this amount for other purposes,” Roxas said.

The Liberal Party President noted that OFWs remitted $14.7 billion in 2007, higher than the $12.8 billion remitted in 2006. This number is seen to rise further this year to over $16 billion, in part due to the weakening of the United States dollar. Ironically, a weaker dollar has also led to less purchasing power of OFWs’ money when their earnings are spent locally. The Philippine peso appreciated from P56:$1 in 2006 to P40:$1 earlier this year, and is now at P44.23:$1.

“As if high prices of oil and rice were not enough, even the currency that our OFWs earn in has diminished in value. We need to give these ‘new heroes’ the support that they need and deserve, understanding their great contribution to our economy,” he said.

Roxas’ bill amends Sec. 181 of the Tax Reform Act of 1997, on the imposition of DST, by exempting from DST payment money transfers made abroad by OFWs.

Sunday, July 27, 2008 | posted in food crisis, mar roxas, ofw, philippines, president, transport sector | 3 comments [ More ]

Roxas to PGMA: Focus on productivity vs. dole-outs in SONA

Senator Mar Roxas urged the President to focus more on how to achieve greater productivity for the poor especially in the countryside, rather than merely list dole-out programs, when she delivers her State of the Nation Address on Monday, where she is expected to launch the National Social Welfare Program.

This, as he recently filed two bills that will provide the government with short-term and long-term plans and tools to achieve immediate rice sufficiency and long-term food security and to jumpstart an agriculture renaissance in the country.

"More than a litany of dole-outs, the President should focus on increasing the productivity and incomes of the poor, especially our farmers and others in the agriculture sector who are now harvesting less and earning less due to the high cost of farm inputs like fertilizer," he said.

"We recognize that dole-outs are needed to alleviate the pain of those who are already at the end of the road. But this should not be the be-all and end-all of how we will approach the ongoing food and oil price crisis," he added.

The Liberal Party President had earlier said that the most important concern now is how to address the increasing incidence of hunger due to the high price and insufficient supply of rice. He stressed that of the total budget of the poorest 30% of the population, 60% is allocated for food (40% of which on rice), thereby making them the most vulnerable to price and supply shocks.

"More Filipinos now are saying that they have felt hunger. This is bound to get worse if not addressed. We in Congress must urgently enact tools to fight hunger, but we can only do so if this is considered as the top priority by the administration," the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Trade and Commerce added.

Senate Bill No. 2469, or the proposed Immediate Rice Security Act, seeks to achieve immediate rice security through a Fertilizer Support Program (FSP) for all farmers and the restructuring of the National Food Authority (NFA). The proposed FSP is a "buy-two-take-three" mechanism, where each purchase of two bags of in-kind urea (46% nitrogen) allows a farmer to avail of three additional bags from a Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority-designated distribution center.

The bill also provides for a phase-out of the NFA's rice importation program to make way for private sector participation, and to change the NFA's role as importer into a buffer stock management agency. In the interim, the NFA must provide a shorter registration process and reduced fees to encourage farmers' organizations and other groups in the private sector to participate in importation.

SB No. 2468, the proposed Agricultural Renaissance and Food Sufficiency Act, on the other hand, is aimed at ensuring long-term self-sufficiency. The bill is anchored on an accelerated ten-year Agricultural Investment Program for increased research and development (R&D), better irrigation systems and other reforms.

Under the bill, the government is mandated to maximize R&D support to farmers—or R&D extension services—by making this more location-specific and resource-sensitive, while promoting new technologies for commercial purposes. Such R&D shall involve farmers and their organizations, along with other players in the production and post-production process.

The Department of Agriculture and the National Irrigation Administration will also be tasked to conduct an evaluation of the country's irrigation systems, to determine which ones need rehabilitation. The bill also mandates that for new irrigation systems that will be build, priority must be given to small-scale irrigation systems. Roxas said that according to studies, small water impounding systems are more affordable and more efficient than large-scale systems.

The bill also affirms and strengthens the Department of Agriculture's mandate to provide technical assistance to farmers and the rest of the private sector in the use of post-harvest facilities and availing of extension services, among other things.

It provides for the NFA's change in mandate, so that it is primarily tasked to maintain and manage rice reserve requirements within ten years of implementation of the Agricultural Investment Plan, from its present role as importer.

To implement all of these, the bill proposes an additional appropriation of P1.1-billion per year for 10 years, on top of the DA's regular annual appropriation.

Saturday, July 26, 2008 | posted in da, food crisis, mar roxas, nfa, pgma, philippines, president, rice crisis, sona | 0 comments [ More ]

Roxas urges DA to assess impact of Typhoon Frank's damage on RP rice supply

Senator Mar Roxas called on the Department of Agriculture to assess the impact of typhoon damage – amounting to half a billion pesos and causing the loss of crops in 300,000 hectares in Western Visayas and 12 other provinces –on the country's dwindling rice supply.

"It's not enough to know the damage in peso terms but on how this will manifest itself in terms of rice and food prices and supply. Let's be more open and transparent about this and other problems, to come up with an integrated plan for rehabilitation and mobilization of resources in the wake of typhoon 'Frank'," he said.

Roxas has been aiding in and coordinating with different agencies on relief and rehabilitation efforts in Capiz and Iloilo since Friday.

The Chairman of the Senate trade and commerce committee, said the external shock of a global rice crisis combined with the internal shock of a major typhoon disaster requires a long and hard look at existing strategies and the need for long-term programs to avert a more acute rice and food shortage.

"Typhoon 'Frank' shows how vulnerable our food supply and its affordability are to internal shocks caused by weather disturbances and natural calamities. All the more we need to invest in our farmers and make sure that they get the support needed to recover from this latest setback," he added.

Roxas also called on the Department of Trade and Industry to activate the National Price Coordinating Council as an initial step to preventing unjustified price increases of goods and services by unscrupulous traders.

The price of ordinary commercial rice has gone up from P32/kg a month ago to P36-P39/kg at present. Roxas has repeated that the worldwide shortage in the commodity is forcing the country to focus on raising domestic production and attain self-sufficiency, to meet local demand.

Hard flour (Wellington), used for making pan de sal, is now at P980 per 25-kg bag, a more than 50% increase from P640 a year ago. Meanwhile, soft flour, used for making noodles, is at P840 per 25-kg bag, from about P500 a year ago.

He also noted that the price of petroleum products has increased for successive weeks now. Unleaded gasoline now costs P57.96 per liter and diesel now costs P50.94/L, after an increase last weekend of P1.50/L. Liquefied petroleum gas has increased by P1/L to P32.22/L or P653.70 per 11-kg tank, further burdening consumers struggling with high prices of food.

Wednesday, June 25, 2008 | posted in da, dti, food crisis, mar roxas, oil, rice crisis, visayas | 2 comments [ More ]

Roxas: “Finally, Government’s feet on the ground”

Senator Mar Roxas said it is high time to suspend the value-added tax (VAT) on oil products, now that the government has already “accepted the reality” that it would not meet its “theoretical” target to balance the budget.

“Finally, nakaapak na sila sa lupa (their feet are now on the ground)! Because their theory that the budget can be balanced this year, nawala na iyan matagal na eh (has been abandoned for some time already),” an exasperated Roxas said during the Kapihan sa Senado held on Thursday.

“When oil was at $90 per barrel at the beginning of the year, nawala na iyan eh (the assumption’s invalid already). The economic growth for 2008 would necessarily be affected,” he explained. He said oil prices now are four times more expensive than when the expanded VAT was still being deliberated.

He also pointed out that the President has supposedly allotted P40 billion for the Agriculture “FIELDS” program, aside from continuing with rice subsidies through NFA, the budgets for which are not in the original budget.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Trade and Commerce pointed out that when the proposal to impose a 12% VAT on oil was still being deliberated, Dubai crude was still around $34 per barrel. Now, the price of Dubai crude has reached $120 per barrel. This means if the government earlier expected to collect around $4 of VAT per barrel of crude, it now collects around $14 per barrel, or excess revenue of around $10 per barrel.

“Ang laki-laki na ng nakokolekta ng gobyerno, higit doon sa original na inaasahan nila mula rito. Bakit pa nila ipinagdadamot ito (Government’s collecting so much more than what it originally expected. So why are they refusing to return it to consumers)?” he said.

The Liberal Party President stressed that if the government really wants to help consumers and protect the “real economy” at this time of crisis, it must immediately support moves to suspend or remove VAT on oil.

“Maaari na ayaw nila ito sa simula. Noong nasa $90 per barrel ang langis, tinanggihan nila ito. Ngayon na nasa $130 per barrel na ang langis, mukhang nagkakaroon ito ng buhay sa Kamara. Kahit ano pa man ang gusto ng Malacañang, itong demokrasya dito, batay ito sa kagustuhan ng ating mga kababayan. Nilagay natin sila diyan, dapat hindi nila ipagdamot itong pera kasi hindi nila pera ito. Pera ng sambayanan ito,” he said.

Saturday, May 31, 2008 | posted in da, e-vat, food crisis, mar roxas, nfa, oil, pgma, philippines, president, rice crisis, united arab emirates | 2 comments [ More ]

Roxas: Slower growth, high prices call for ZERO VAT on oil

Senator Mar Roxas said the government should now support moves for zero value-added tax (VAT) on oil, now that the government has admitted it would not anymore meet its balanced budget target this year due to slower growth.

"When oil was at $90 per barrel at the beginning of the year, that target of a balanced budget this year has become impossible. The economic growth for 2008 would necessarily be affected," he said.

"But more than the fiscal targets, the government should look more closely at how our consumers are facing a perfect storm of food and oil price hikes," he said.

He said oil prices now are four times more expensive than when the expanded VAT was still being deliberated. This is one of the reasons cited as to why growth, especially consumer spending, slowed down in the first quarter.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Trade and Commerce pointed out that when the proposal to impose a 12% VAT on oil was still being deliberated, Dubai crude was still around $34 per barrel. Now, the price of Dubai crude has reached $120 per barrel. This means if the government earlier expected to collect around $4 of VAT per barrel of crude, it now collects around $14 per barrel, or excess revenue of around $10 per barrel.

"Ang laki-laki na ng makokolekta ng gobyerno mula sa VAT sa langis, higit doon sa inaasahan nila noon mula rito. Bakit pa nila ipinagdadamot ito (Government's expected to collect so much more than what it originally expected. So why are they refusing to return it to our consumers)?" he said.

"Even at the best of times, even when the administration was crowing about 7.3% growth, the revenue agencies were not attaining their targets. So to begin with, strong economy or weak economy, the revenue agencies were not attaining their projections," he explained.

The Liberal Party President stressed if the government really wants to help consumers and protect the "real economy" at this time of crisis, it must immediately support moves to suspend or remove VAT on oil.

"Maaari na ayaw nila ito sa simula. Noong nasa $90 per barrel ang langis, tinanggihan nila ito. Ngayon na nasa $130 per barrel na ang langis, mukhang nagkakaroon ito ng buhay sa Kamara," he said.

"Hindi nila dapat ipagdamot itong pera kasi hindi nila pera ito. Pera ng sambayanan ito," he said.

Friday, May 30, 2008 | posted in e-vat, food crisis, mar roxas, oil, pgma, philippines, president, rice crisis, united arab emirates | 0 comments [ More ]

Large savings for workers with Tax Exemption Bill’s passage, Sen. Roxas says

Senator Mar Roxas said people have plenty of savings to look forward to, with the impending passage of Congress’ bill to exempt minimum wage earners from income taxes.

“Magandang balita ang natanggap natin sa sinang-ayunan na ng House yung Senate version para sa exemption ng mga minimum wage earners, at additional exemptions para sa iba pang salaried workers,” Roxas said during the ‘Kapihan sa Senado’ press conference on Thursday.

The Senator, who is principal author of the tax measure, pointed out the specific savings for people: “Para sa isang minimum wage earner sa Metro Manila na kumikita ng P7,900 per month for 22 days of work, ang dagdag nito sa kanyang take-home pay is about P750, or P34 a day. Ang katumbas nito ay isang kilong bigas bawat araw na madadagdagan sa kanilang kinikita.”

In addition to this, Roxas, the Liberal Party President, noted that all holiday, night differential, hazard and overtime pay were also exempted from income taxes.

“Kaya’t bagamat ang panawagan ng labor sector ay pataasin ang sahod sa pamamagitan nitong panukalang isinulong natin, madadagdagan pa ang take-homepay ng ating mga manggagawa at ng ating mga salaried workers,” he said.

The bill also increases personal exemptions, so that additional savings for an employee earning P455 a day or P10,010 per month would be P472.59 a month or P5,671.02 a year if he or she is single, and P451.09 a month or P5,413.06 a year if he or she is married with four children.

For an employee earning P683 a day or P15,026 a month, additional savings would be P545.26 a month or P6,543.10 a year if he or she is single, and P1,190.52 or P14,286.20 a year if he or she is married with four children.

“These additional savings are on top of the personal exemptions already being given to our workers,” Roxas noted.

“Sa hirap ng buhay ngayon, malaking tulong ang lahat ng ginhawa na mabibigay ng gobyerno, kagaya nitong minimum wage exemption, at kahit yung pagtanggal ng VAT sa produktong petrolyo,” he added.

| posted in e-vat, food crisis, mar roxas, minimum wage, oil, pgma, philippines, president | 2 comments [ More ]

Roxas: Immediate relief, not tokenisms, needed

Senator Mar Roxas said the people do not need mere "tokenisms" but real and immediate relief in coping with the continued high prices of petroleum products.

He cited the Department of Energy's announcement to remove the tariff on imported crude oil and refined products – that would supposedly lower pump prices by P0.50 – effective June 1, which the Senator said would not be felt by the public especially with the continued rise in world oil prices.

"How will our drivers and consumers feel that their government is looking out for them, when all they are given is false hope and not immediate relief?" said Roxas, the Chairman of the Committee on Trade and Commerce.

"Our people feel they are being run over by these skyrocketing prices of food, oil and other goods. But instead of rushing them to the hospital, the government treats the problem with band-aid," he said, referring to the tariff reduction.

The Liberal Party President said that if the executive was serious in helping the jeepney and tricycle drivers, the fisherman, or even just the general consumer, the immediate action of suspending the value-added tax (VAT) on oil products must be considered.

"With the rising prices of basic goods like food, oil and electricity, plus the higher costs of transport, a zero tariff on oil is not all that our people need, but also zero VAT," he said.

Roxas stressed that the government should not fear revenue losses as a result of removing the VAT on oil, because the VAT will eventually be collected on other products.

"The government should not be so stingy when it comes to removing the VAT on oil. This is not their money, this is the people's money," he said.

"So far, the executive has not understood that when the VAT on petroleum products is removed, this won't be a complete loss for the government. Why? Because Juan de la Cruz is going to spend his extra savings on other items, which the VAT can be collected from. For example, with one 11-kilo tank of LPG, removing VAT would result in a housewife saving P65. That P65 can then be spent on other items in the grocery or department store to buy other needs, which have VAT on them," he explained.

"If the government is going to use the money for things that won't help us anyway, it would be better for each person to do the spending," he added.

Friday, May 23, 2008 | posted in doe, e-vat, food crisis, mar roxas, oil, pgma, philippines, president | 0 comments [ More ]

Rice crisis a direct threat to Food-For-School recipients, Roxas says

Senator Mar Roxas expressed dismay that over 20,000 grade school students in Eastern Visayas will now stop receiving rice allocations under the food-for-school program of the Department of Education due to the worsening rice crisis.

"The food-for-school program has been successful in improving nutrition and reducing drop-out rates among school children. It is extremely worrisome that the rice crisis now poses a direct threat to the viability of this education program," Roxas said.

"While the government is harping on its rice access card program, what we don't know is that it's also cutting funding for other programs. It is giving rice cards to poor families in Metro Manila while taking away rice allocations that would keep poor children in school in the poorest provinces of the country. We're taking away food from one mouth to put in another. Rice access cards program are under DSWD and DA while the food-for-school program is under DepEd. Does the left hand know what the right hand is doing?" he said.

The Liberal Party President said things are bound to get worse before they get better, considering the failed auction of the National Food Authority (NFA) where only one bidder showed up.

Roxas said the failed bid forced the NFA to admit that there was a "tightness of supply" in the world market. He added that this should serve as a fair warning to government to consider long-term solutions to the rice problem.

"First, admit that there is a problem. Secondly, come up with a concrete plan that includes both short-term and long-term solutions to solve the problem. Ang problema, sa unang hakbang pa lang ay hindi na tayo nagpakatotoo," Roxas lamented.

Roxas urged the executive branch to cut public expenditures in other areas in order to sustain the government's food-for-school program.

"Officials serving in the boards of government-controlled and -operated corporations should make the supreme sacrifice of giving up some of their perks as a sacrifice for the country. We can also look into restoring a four-day work week in government so we could save on energy costs," he said.

"More importantly, the revenue collection agencies should increase their collections. Let's do what needs to be done to keep these poor children in school," he said.

The Senate Trade Committee Chairman is also for the expansion of the food-for-work program, where poor families are harnessed to help in their communities. He has misgivings about a rice rationing system, such as the rice access cards, because it could be susceptible to politicking.

Wednesday, May 7, 2008 | posted in da, deped, dswd, education, food crisis, mar roxas, nfa, pgma, philippines, president, rice crisis, visayas | 0 comments [ More ]

Roxas reiterates call for special ASEAN Rice Summit

Senator Mar Roxas reiterated his call for the Department of Foreign Affairs to formally propose a special ASEAN Leaders' Summit on Rice and Food Security in light of the impending creation of an Asian rice cartel known as OREC or Organization of Rice Exporting Countries led by Thailand.

Roxas, chair of the Senate trade and commerce committee, said the ASEAN must move as one in helping secure regional food security in light of soaring oil and rice prices.

"Neglecting to act as a regional bloc amid a rice and food crisis can raise doubts in the minds of other world leaders on ASEAN's determination to pursue economic integration," Roxas stressed.

"Before OREC is institutionalized, the ASEAN community must weigh in as a regional bloc to obtain trade privileges with its fellow members in keeping with the ASEAN spirit," Roxas said, adding that it would be unfortunate if the ASEAN bloc where the two biggest rice exporting countries in the world are members of, could not forge a common agenda on rice and food security.

He noted that the countries that would initially comprise OREC are all ASEAN members. According to the Thai government, four countries, namely, Burma, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam have agreed in principle to form a rice price-fixing cartel similar to the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

The senator said that even if Vietnam and Thailand have agreed to accept the Philippines' order for 1.2 million metric tons, the government should still confirm whether such shipments are iron-clad despite the formation of OREC.

"We need to see the bill of particulars governing these orders to check whether there are fixed dates for delivery and a firm, iron-clad commitment to meet the order," Roxas added.

Senator Roxas recommends that the DFA seek a briefing from the Thai Embassy on how the creation of an OREC would affect rice importing countries such as the Philippines.

"Given the cordial relations between and among the Philippines and these five ASEAN countries, we should take a more proactive role in clarifying the role of OREC and whether it is prepared to give concessions to fellow ASEAN members," Roxas said.

Friday, May 2, 2008 | posted in asean, cambodia, dfa, food crisis, laos, mar roxas, myanmar, opec, orec, philippines, rice crisis, thailand, vietnam | 1 comments [ More ]

Roxas to hold dialogues on rice situation in Quezon

Senator Mar Roxas will be at Lucena, Quezon on Thursday, April 24, to get updates and to determine the "best practices" in handling the rice situation, in order to ensure the continued availability of rice at affordable levels both in the province and nationwide.

"I want to discuss with local officials, including my fellow Liberal, Gov. Raffy Nantes, how they have managed to remain responsive to the rice situation even as the rest of the nation is struggling to do so. Quezon's best practices will help us national leaders provide for the needs of other local governments," Roxas, the Liberal Party President, said.

"Every province would have its own specific and unique concerns even on issues of a national scope, such as the impending food crisis. With the help of all, we will be able to ensure food security for the long-term. I also want to hear what their constituents' concerns are in terms of the production and distribution of rice and other commodities," he added.

Gov. Nantes invited Roxas as a special guest in a public consultation on Thursday morning with local leaders and stakeholders on national issues such as the continued rise in the prices of rice and oil to record levels. The forum will be held at the Bulwagang Kalilayan at the Provincial Capitol Compound in Lucena City.

Another issue to be dealt with is the Quality Affordable Medicines bill, which is nearing passage at Congress. The committee composed of members of the House of Representatives and the Senate, are set to meet tomorrow to finalize the bill, which Roxas said is already "99% complete."

"Once this bill to lower the prices of medicines is passed, the real work begins. I urge the national government to coordinate closely with local governments to bring the benefits of the measure to all," he said, adding that he would initiate the holding of conferences across the nation on the merits of the proposed law and how to best implement its provisions.

Roxas will also attend the graduation ceremonies of Southern Luzon State University as guest of honor, on Thursday noon at the Quezon Convention Center, also in Lucena.

Tuesday, April 22, 2008 | posted in cheaper medicines bill, e-vat, food crisis, oil, pgma, philippines, president, quezon, rice crisis | 0 comments [ More ]

Roxas to gov't: Intercept rice diversion at the large scale, not 'tingi' level

Senator Mar Roxas said the government must focus its efforts to curb diversion of imported rice at the scale of large shipments, not in the markets, to ensure that the staple actually reaches the poorest of the poor who need it the most.

"Ang mga malalaking diversion ay nangyayari hindi sa palengke, ngunit sa pagpasok ng mga barko, pagdala ng bigas sa mga warehouse. The real diversion happens by the shipload and truckload, not just by the sack," Roxas said.

"Kailangang makita natin ang dinadaanan ng bigas mula sa pagpasok pa lang sa bansa. Itong mga raid-raid na ito ay pakitang tao lamang, o isang patingi-tinging solusyon," the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Trade and Commerce added.

Roxas said he had already written Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap last April 10, asking for the following information:

1. The total volume of rice importation for 2008 including the list of importers and originating countries of these imports;

2. The pricing or cost of these imports per volume, for each source;

3. The schedule of each shipment, the type of cargo or vessels for these and their maximum tonnage, and the actual volume to be imported per shipment;

4. Drop-off points or ports for these shipments; and

5. A copy of the latest Rice Importation Contract with Vietnam.

"We are still awaiting Secretary Yap's response, which would shed light on how rice intended for the poorest of the poor is instead used for commercial purposes. With this knowledge, our authorities can better track down unscrupulous elements taking advantage of the dire situation," Roxas said.

He stressed however that urgent action was also needed with regard to domestic production of rice, in order to reduce dependence on imported grains.

He proposed the following to ensure a bountiful harvest, which would prevent the problem from recurring next year:

1. Strict enforcement of a moratorium on conversions of irrigated land, and an investigation on how much the government has spent on irrigation for these converted lands;

2. Ensuring that all of the inputs necessary—seeds, fertilizer, pesticides, among others—are made available to farmers;

3. Developing "small water impounding" irrigation systems, which cost only about P30,000 per hectare, versus large-scale irrigation through dams which costs P100,000 per hectare.

4. Opening up the Agusan river basin areas for planting, as these are ideal for planting rice; and

5. Investing in eliminating wastage in the drying of rice, estimated at 30% of annual consumption, which is more than enough to cover the NFA's importation of 2 million MT of rice or 17% of annual consumption.

Roxas also noted how the population increased by 16%, from 75.50 million in May 2000, to 88.57 million as of August 2007, and warned that the projected population by 2009 of 92.22 million would mean nearly 4 million more consumers in two years' time.

"Now that the government knows it has more mouths to feed, it must be more focused in ensuring food security by boosting domestic production. We can no longer rely on importing for rice, because excess supply from abroad is hard to come by, and at great cost," Roxas, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Trade and Commerce, said.

"We can’t say that our domestic production for rice has increased likewise. In fact, we are importing over 2 million metric tons this year, above the 1.2 million MT we had been importing in previous years," he added.

Saturday, April 19, 2008 | posted in arthur yap, food crisis, mar roxas, nfa, pgma, philippines, president | 0 comments [ More ]

Roxas: Focus on plentiful domestic harvest, not 'pakitang-tao'

Senator Mar Roxas called on the executive to provide clear solutions to address the insufficient domestic production of rice, rather than be focused merely on political considerations which do not provide any real help to the people.

"The government is on the wrong track in adopting the tingi approach to our rice problem. This is a production and supply problem, and so, we must address its root causes and not just the symptoms. Ang problema natin, kulang ang bigas, kaya dapat ang focus natin ay sa pag-siguro na na may sapat na ani," he said.

"The government's response is politically influenced. I see summits and lots of photo-ops, but I don't see substantive programs. It's unfortunate that the government activities are a-la-police—the NBI will raid, the military will distribute—but I have not seen much in how we can produce more rice," he added.

Roxas also warned the administration not to issue rice access cards unless there is a competent system in place and clear guidelines to be followed by local officials and the National Food Authority, to avoid confusion and politicizing the process.

"If we have a rice rationing system, politicians will now say 'yung mga kakampi ko, magkaka-bigas.' Whenever there is shortage or rationing, you now introduce the element of subjective choice, or who-gets-what. Mahirap iyan," he said, explaining that this could lead to more confusion and could trigger food riots and demonstrations.

"Instead, I recommend an expansion of the Food-for-Work program where poor families are harnessed to help in their communities, in exchange for a stable supply of food," the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Trade added.

The Liberal Party President said to ensure plentiful domestic harvest, he proposed:

1. All conversions of irrigated land should be stopped, and investigate how much has the government spent on irrigation for these converted lands;
2. Ensure that all of the inputs necessary—seeds, fertilizer, pesticides, among others—must be made available to farmers;
3. Consider the development of 'small water impounding' irrigation systems, which costs only about P30,000 per hectare, versus large-scale irrigation through dams which costs P100,000 per hectare;
4. Open up the Agusan and Lanao marsh areas for planting, as these are ideal for planting rice, similar to the Vietnamese river delta basin;
5. Invest in eliminating wastage in the drying of rice, estimated at 30% of annual consumption, and more than enough to cover the NFA's importation of 2 million MT of rice or 17% of annual consumption.

He noted that aside from the planned issuance of rice vouchers, the administration had already floated a hodge-podge of stopgap solutions, including:

1. Limiting how much NFA rice an individual may buy;
2. Using of indelible ink to discourage returning buyers;
3. Calling on consumers to eat brown rice;
4. Calling on fast-food chains to offer half-cup rice;
5. Linking up with Churches and LGUs, and even deputizing soldiers, to help in distributing cheaper varieties of NFA rice;
6. Threats of raids on warehouses even if there are no clear guidelines yet.

He noted that the government has embarked or at least floated these solutions, even as it denies that a rice supply crisis does not exist.

"Kaya nga dapat magpakatotoo ang gobyerno at aminin ang problema sasambayanan para sama-sama tayong lahat sa paghanap ng pinakamagandang paraan at solusyon sa krisis na ito," he added.

The senator noted that rice-exporting countries have already announced its plans to curb medium-grade rice exports to protect their own respective domestic supplies.

"This makes our call for an emergency ASEAN Leaders' Summit on the rice crisis even more urgent. We can then appeal to our rice exporting neighbors to give priority to fellow ASEAN members in the allocation of exported rice," Roxas said.

"Now, the surplus is gone, the old standby—'never mind, we can always import'—is no longer available. This is not just a slogan of 'food security,' we must now produce our own rice," he said.

Thursday, April 17, 2008 | posted in asean, food crisis, mar roxas, nfa, pgma, philippines, president | 0 comments [ More ]

Roxas files Food Transparency Bill

Senator Mar Roxas today filed Senate Bill 2161 seeking transparency in all government transactions involving food and basic commodities, especially rice and corn.

He said part of the people’s basic right of access to adequate and affordable food is giving full access to information on the same, including supply, production and imports, prices, and other factors and risks.

“It is the government’s responsibility to ensure that there is food for all. In relation to this, it must let the people know at all times about the state of food in the country,” the Chairman of the Senate Trade and Commerce Committee said.

“The best deterrence to collusion, profiteering and other abuses by government or private persons is transparency,” he added.

“Mahalaga ang impormasyong ito, dahil ito ang tutulong sa mga pamilya sa pagba-budget ng kanilang pang-araw-araw na pangangailangan, o tutulong sa gobyerno mismo para supilin ang mga pang-aabuso sa merkado (This information is important to help families in budgeting their daily needs, and to help the government against abuses in the market),” he stressed.

Roxas, Liberal Party President, said this bill will help institute good governance in all government actions and transactions in relation to food and basic commodities, and would also help the government in targeting food distribution and soliciting private sector help in improving food security.

“Nasa interes ng bawat Pilipino ang pagkain, at hindi dapat nasasaklaw ng executive privilege ang impormasyon ukol dito. (Food is in the interest of every Filipino, and any information about it should not be subject to executive privilege,” he added.

Senate Bill No. 2161, the proposed “Affordable Food Transparency Act,” mandates the publication by DA of all rice, corn and sugar import permits, including: names and addresses of importers and suppliers; countries of origin; dates of contract and arrival of imports and other specifications; contract price and modes of purchase; among others.

It also requires the dissemination of any and all significant information that affect food supply and prices, through print and electronic publication. It also mandates the disclosure of any information about the existence of a factor or risk to food security.

It also requires pertinent government agencies, particularly the DA and DTI and their sub-units, to comply with written requests for any information, records or documents within two working days, under pain of penalty.

The bill also allows every denial of any request, in whole or in part, due to reasons of privacy, national security, diplomatic relations, trade secrets and others, to be appealed before the Office of the Ombudsman.

Wednesday, April 16, 2008 | posted in food crisis, mar roxas, ombudsman, pgma, philippines, president | 0 comments [ More ]

Statement of Senator Mar Roxas on proposals for Emergency Powers

“At this point, such proposals of emergency powers for the President are premature and counter-productive, leading to more confusion and panic. What we need is a clear plan guided by cold facts and clear criteria. What is the real supply and demand situation at present? Does it call for emergency measures, or just more aggressive law enforcement, diplomacy, distribution targeting and logistical management.”

”What is our contingency status? Are we on condition yellow? Orange? Red? Ironically, the admin keeps stressing that there's no crisis while the queues get longer everyday. What we need now is for the government to tell the people the real score, and walk them through a credible plan to deal with an escalating crisis, stage by stage. Transparency, political will and a good plan will carry the day.”

Tuesday, April 15, 2008 | posted in emergency power, food crisis, mar roxas, pgma, philippines, president | 0 comments [ More ]

Roxas calls for ASEAN Leaders’ Summit on food security

Senator Mar Roxas, chairman of the Senate trade and commerce committee, called on the Philippine government to take the lead in calling for an ASEAN Leaders’ Summit to address the rice crisis and ensure food security in the region.

In a press release, Roxas announced that he would file a resolution on Monday expressing the sense of the Senate that the Philippines should take the lead in calling for such a special Leaders’ Summit, to ensure food and rice security in the coming months.

“ASEAN has in its membership the world’s two biggest rice exporters and the world’s biggest rice importer. The proposed ASEAN Leaders’ Summit has the opportunity to ease the fear and crisis that is gripping both the producing farmers and consumer families across ASEAN and the region. This kind of crisis is exactly why ASEAN exists. ASEAN must address and intervene in this crisis to prove to the world that it can take the lead in the political and economic integration of its member-nations” the former trade secretary said.

The Filipino leader said the proposed ASEAN leaders’ summit could even include non-ASEAN neighbors as such as Japan, South Korea and China for an ASEAN Plus Three Summit as well as multinational financial institutions, which have a critical interest on both the consumer and producer sides of the current crisis.

“At the ASEAN Summit in Singapore last year, an ASEAN Charter was adopted. This document would be meaningless if the leaders of ASEAN cannot get together to ensure solidarity against hunger made worse by soaring rice and food prices,” the former trade and commerce secretary explained.

Roxas said the Philippines can invoke a provision in the ASEAN Charter on Summits that allows its leaders to hold a summit to “address emergency situations affecting ASEAN by taking appropriate actions.”

The president of the Liberal Party also quoted from the ASEAN Charter’s preamble that resolved “to ensure sustainable development for the benefit of present and future generations and to place the well-being, livelihood and welfare of the peoples at the centre of the ASEAN community building process.”

Saturday, April 12, 2008 | posted in asean, china, food crisis, japan, mar roxas, pgma, philippines, president, south korea | 0 comments [ More ]

Roxas: Gov't stoking public emotions by "knee-jerk" moves on rice crisis

Senator Mar Roxas criticized the government for its knee-jerk reactions to the rice crisis that have set off adverse effects on the rest of the food chain and that are stoking the emotions of the people.

“It is clear that the government doesn’t know what it is doing. Until now, the administration has not acknowledged that we do have a rice crisis which affects Filipino families across the nation,” he said, adding that the prices of oil, rice and other food commodities are all inter-connected.

Philippine bakers have recently announced they will hike pan de sal prices by P0.50 centavos each. This, as the price of wheat—which is not being produced locally—has increased steeply in the world market.

“Hindi lang presyo ng pandesal ang tataas kung hindi pati ang palaman sa pandesal dahil sa kabuuan, ang presyo ng pagkain at langis sa daigdigang merkado ay pataas din ng pataas,” Roxas explained.

“In normal times, the workingman’s breakfast is a choice between pan de sal or a bowl of lugaw in a nearby market. But now he is caught in a rut, because both items have become more expensive,” he said.

Roxas added that prices of processed and canned meats would also go up due to several factors, such as tighter quantitative restrictions on imported meat, increasing prices of locally-produced meat and of tin cans as well as higher transport costs due to soaring oil prices. Prices of meat are also affected by the decreasing supply and increasing costs of feeds, such as wheat and corn.

“At the same time, the government is inviting public indignation by randomly announcing raw ideas without prior consultations with the sectors who are concerned and affected,” he said.

“President Arroyo has to take charge, be open to the people and gather the whole national team together to bear upon this multi-faced challenge,” he said.

The senator lamented the administration’s preoccupation with deceptive visuals – only a few lining up for cheap rice, stacks of rice in NFA warehouses, repacking of rice into smaller bags, the use of indelible ink, and soldiers as distributors of rice stocks—that only aggravate public anxieties instead of allaying them.

“Magpakatotoo tayo. Due to the high commercial prices of rice, the NFA’s limited supply of cheaper varieties of rice will never be enough to feed our hungry population,” Roxas said.

The president of the Liberal Party said the government can heed the people’s call for immediate relief by suspending the 12% VAT on oil and petroleum products.

| posted in e-vat, food crisis, mar roxas, nfa, oil, pgma, philippines, president | 0 comments [ More ]

Transcript of interview with Senator Mar Roxas on DZMM’s ‘Dos por dos’

On the possibility of a Supreme Court reversal in the Neri case:

MAR: Palagay ko mahirap nang palitan pa nila yung kanilang desisyon. Ibig sabihin na dalawa o tatlo ang magbabago ng isip. Iyon ang dahilan kung bakit noong simula pa ay talagang masugid nating minungkahi na yung maganda sana ay yung ‘compromise’ na kung saan inutusan ng Korte Suprema si Neri na humarap doon sa Senado at matatanong namin siya ng isanlibo o dalawanlibong katanungan bukod lamang doon sa tatlong subjudice. Ang sabi ng Korte Suprema noon na itong tatlong katanungang ito ay subjudice na, ‘nandito na sa amin so bigyan niyo kami ng respeto na madedisisyunan namin ito. Samantala, kung may gusto pa kayong tanungin sa kanya e tanungin niyo na siya at ng sa ganoon mahuhusgahan namin yung konsepto ng executive privilege hindi lamang batay dito sa limitadong tatlong katanungan pero kasama na lahat pa ng iba pang sasabihin ni Sec. Neri executive privilege.

Q: Saka ang tingin po ng iba diyan eh parang binigyan na kayo ng tip o cue ni Chief Justice Puno na ganito ang magiging desisyon nito.

MAR: In fact, kung titingnan nyo ngayon yung desisyon na inilabas ng Korte Suprema, yung dalawa o tatlo doon sa dissenting opinion, doon sa minority sa Korte Suprema, sila yung mga tumulak nitong compromise na ito. Siguro basa na nila yung botohan sa loob kaya sinabi nila para mabigyan ng pagkakataon na matanong si Neri, ‘tanggapin niyo na ito.’

Q: So, ibig nyong sabihin Senator Mar, nagkamali o nagkulang ang Senado doon sa pagharap sa problema?

MAR: Well, mahirap na mag finger pointing, pero ang alam ko lang yung posisyon ko noon ay tanggapin natin ito. Siguro ang bawat isa naman ay maaaring magpaliwanag sa kanilang desisyon.

Q: Yung compromise na inaalok ni Chief Justice Puno ay mukhang higit na masasapol doon ay ang Malacañang.

MAR: Actually, yung nasapol ang paghahanap natin sa katotohanan. Iyon ang parang one step back, three steps forward. Biro mo si Neri mauutusan na humarap doon at sumagot sa kahit ano pang itatanong namin. Sa ngayon, hindi na haharap si Neri at parang nawalan pa kami ng kapangyarihan na ipaaresto siya. Parang toothless na yung pag-iimbita dito sa mga guest natin.

Q: Sinasabi ninyo na parang malabo, mahihirapan ang motion for reconsideration. Ano ho ang pinakamagandang gawin ngayon?

MAR: Una, yung mga bahagi ng hearing na mukhang malinaw na ang larawan katulad doon sa abduction ni Jun Lozada, ay maaari nang tapusin at isulat na ung bahagi na iyon. Dito naman sa ZTE proper, yung kontrata mismo, palagay ko masasabi na rin natin na talagang bumaligtad ang NEDA magmula noong Oktubre 2006, na sabi nila dapat hindi gov’t guarantee, dapat hindi utang, dapat BOT, dapat private sector. Sa loob ng tatlo o apat na buwan ay nabaligtad lahat ito. Iyon ay malinaw na malinaw din. Yung pagka-overprice nito, yung testimonya nung tatlo o apat na mga witness ay nasa record na rin lang at masasabi natin na mula sa private sector ay makakakuha pa tayo ng iba pang mga valuation na magpapatunay na talagang sobrang mahal ito.

On the food crisis:

MAR: Dito sa larangan ng pagkain matagal na nating sinasabi na may problema tayo ang problema dito sa atin ay imbes na hinarap ng ehekutibo, imbes na hinarap ng Malacañang na talaga namang may problema tayo either sa supply o kaya sa pagtaas ng presyo, ano sinagot nila? Nag-grand standing lang yang mga iyan. ‘Wala talaga tayong problema pero tataas ang presyo.’ E kaya hindi maintindihan ni Juan dela Cruz yung kalagayan natin ngayon kasi hindi tayo nagpapakatotoo. Ano ba talaga? Noong tayo ay DTI [Secretary] ang bigas ay nasa 20 hanggang 22 pesos lang eh ngayon ay pumapatak na 28 hanggang 30 pesos. Bakit, kung wala namang shortage, bakit tumataas iyon? Inaamin ba ng ehekutibo may price manipulation? Inaamin ba nila na wala silang magawa sa hoarding? Inaamin ba nila na policy talaga nila na pamahalin ang presyo ng bigas? Kung wala tayong shortage, hahayaang tumaas ang presyo, dapat may dahilan yan. At ano ang sinasabi nila? Wala naman e. So, dapat magpakatotoo tayo. Ok lang sabihin na may problema tayo nang sa ganoon makapagsama-sama, tulung-tulong, maghanap ng lutas dito sa problema.

Q: Makapagsasagawa pa ba ng imbestigasyon ang Senado sa mga binanggit ninyo?

MAR: Maari naman siguro magpaimbestiga pero titingnan natin ngayon kung dadalo o anong datos ang dadalhin. Palagay ko makikita natin ngayon yung sinseridad ng ehekutibo para malutas itong mga problema na ito. Yung sa ZTE, o sige isantabi natin yan. O dito na lang sa bigas, palagay ko lahat naman ng ating mga kababayan naghihikahos doon sa sobrang pagmahal ng bigas. Dito sa mga farm inputs, pinag-aaralan natin ngayon iyan, lalong-lalo na yung seeds. sobrang mahal ngayon ng mais, sobrang mahal ngayon ng kopra at oil na ginagamit na substitute sa feeds ng mga hayop. Eh lahat yan sooner or later sa manok at baboy mag-rereflect na rin iyan. Pero ang importante dito ngayon ay huwag lang tayong tapon ng tapon ng pera.

Sa nakaraang food summit, more or less 50 billion pesos ang naka-earmark sa pagharap nito. Unang-una, bagong pera ba iyan? Dagdag ba iyan o yung dating pera na ng agri na ni-repackage lang para sa photo-op? Ano ba itong pera na ito? Saan nanggaling ito? Saan ilalagay ito? Eh kailangan magkaroon muna tayo ng masusing analysis kung ano talagang problema ng sa ganun yung pera natin na limitado ay malagay natin doon sa tamang lugar, hindi lang tapon tayo ng tapon ng pera na sa katapusan wala rin tayong nagamot.

Monday, April 7, 2008 | posted in food crisis, mar roxas, philippines, president, reynato puno, rodolfo lozada, romulo neri, supreme court, zte deal | 0 comments [ More ]

Roxas calls for 10-year food security plan

“The Food Summit should have been convened long before the DA’s admonition for the people to start eating brown rice or half-a-cup of rice. The government was obviously caught flat-footed by the shooting up of rice prices in the world market and we now see an adrenaline rush among executives to come up with abrupt measures.

“We must now convert the current crisis into a genuine opportunity for agricultural reforms. What we need is a ten-year food security plan done quietly but competently in consultation with experts and stakeholders, attuned with global trends and realities but with very clear domestic targets and a realistic to-do list. Otherwise, we will continue to muddle our way through a global regime of soaring food prices. The well-meaning recommendations of different groups during the one-day Summit can be integrated into this ten-year plan.

“A ten-year food security plan must be done soup-to-nuts style, meaning from seed distribution to market access and with social programs to help farmers in between cycles. It must identify the number of driers that the DA will purchase for our farmers per municipality to prevent spoilage and wastage. It also must include a nationwide irrigation plan and funds for R&D attuned to specific rice productivity targets for the next ten years. It should include a detailed plan for other non-agricultural food sectors as well.

“We must also consider the fiscal sustainability factor as we are confronted with a humongous rice import bill for the coming months alone. I reiterate my call on the President to convene the LEDAC so we can reach a consensus on interim and long-term solutions to the current food crisis and its impact on our country’s fiscal and economic situation.

“As to public accountability, let’s start with the government’s rice importation program. How much in totality are our rice imports? When were they negotiated, for how much per metric ton, and when will these rice imports actually arrive in Manila? The release of such information is the best assurance to our people that there will indeed be adequate supply of rice in the country for the coming months. I ask the DA and DBM to present this bill of particulars to the people as a sign of their commitment to transparency and accountability in the use of agriculture funds.”

Sunday, April 6, 2008 | posted in food crisis, mar roxas, pgma, philippines, president | 0 comments [ More ]

Roxas pushes for immediate passage of minimum wage tax break

Senator Mar Roxas said he will push for the immediate passage of his bill to exempt minimum wage earners from paying income taxes when Congress resumes session in April, saying that workers need relief in the face of socioeconomic pressures.

He said he supports the call of the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines urging Congress to pass the bill as part of the upcoming Labor Day celebration on May 1. The Liberal Party President, however, added that it also takes political will on the part of the administration to have this bill passed.

“Paparating na naman ang Labor Day, pero itong isang pangako ng administrasyon sa ating mga manggagawa ay hindi pa rin napatutupad. Patuloy pa rin ba silang aasa sa wala, sa gitna ng kagipitan?” he said.

“Giving a tax break to minimum wage earners is imperative in light of the increasing prices of fuel and of food. It will only take a determined push from the President to get the ball rolling in the administration-dominated House,” he said, noting that all tax measures should emanate from the House of Representatives, as required by the Constitution.

Roxas earlier filed Senate Bill No. 103 seeking to exempt from income tax all minimum wage earners and all government employees from Salary Grades 1 to 3. The Senate Committee on Ways and Means has tackled the bill, but is awaiting House action before it could transmit its report to plenary.

As the TUCP noted, the bill would exempt about half a million workers from paying income taxes. Although the Finance department has estimated a revenue impact of P951 million, Roxas said this would be outweighed by the increased spending and savings among minimum wage earners.

“Sa panahon ngayon na pataas nang pataas ang presyo ng bigas, langis at iba pang mga mahahalagang produkto, ito ay isang kongkretong solusyon na magbibigay kaginhawaan sa ating mga manggagawa,” he said.

Wednesday, April 2, 2008 | posted in food crisis, mar roxas, minimum wage, oil, pgma, philippines, president | 1 comments [ More ]