At a recent meeting of the Committee on Proactive Response and Oversight for Timely and Effective Crisis Strategy (PROTECT), Senator Loren Legarda posed a simple but important question: "Why do noodles and sardines get hit with a Value-Added Tax (VAT)?"
This question poses a significant concern for many families.
As the committee examined reports from key government agencies, troubling projections emerged, warning of possible rises in unemployment and poverty rates in the year ahead.
The situation is made even more difficult by the recent spike in crude oil prices, a direct result of turmoil around the world.
The crisis in the Middle East has driven up transportation and production costs nationwide; even the minipaychecks of everyday workers have barely budged.
For many households, simply keeping up with the high cost of living has turned into a hardship.
Noodles and sardines, often considered the last refuge for families on tight budgets, have become even less affordable due to VAT.
These staple foods for millions of Pinoys are keeping them alive, making their continued taxation an additional burden.
The push to scrap VAT on basic necessities is gaining traction across social media platforms.To see the real impact, consider the numbers.
With the 12-percent VAT rate, a pack of noodles cost ₱7.00; the VAT is about ₱0.75.
A can of sardines priced at ₱23.00 incurs a VAT of ₱2.46.
Scraping the VAT would reduce the cost of every purchase by those respective amounts. For families who frequently buy these items, the total savings could have a noticeable effect on their monthly expenses.
Currently, instant noodles or canned sardines are not VAT-exempted.
Scrapping the 12-percent VAT on these item staples would provide immediate financial relief, helping Filipino households to save money.
Isn’t it time politicians put the needs of ordinary Pinoys at the forefront and ensure that basic needs are never taxed?
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