By Lilybeth G. Ison
DAVAO CITY, Nov. 29 (PNA) — Presidential candidate Rodrigo Duterte has junked the proposed tax reduction, saying he will be needing money for a lot of programs to embark on.
“I need the money because I need to raise the salary of the state workers,” said Duterte in a chance interview here.
“Wala akong masyadong spending for the first year. My first year, gagamitin ko ang pera to connect to the social issues — gutom, trabaho, and then I have to fix the economy,” he added.
Duterte vowed to embark on massive infrastructure projects and high-speed mass transport system that could make the delivery of goods cheaper, faster, more efficient and safer.
”People are complaining about being taxed to death because the services that they deserve are hard to come by and are not seen and felt,” he said.
“I (also) need money for my programs to create jobs, solve criminality, hunger and restore peace and order. I need money to run this country,” he added.
The Department of Finance earlier estimated that the government would lose PhP30-billion worth of revenues if the proposed lowered income tax rates are implemented.
Duterte cited the need to decongest Metro Manila as it is overcrowded and causes heavy traffic.
“Manila is simply overloaded. So, I have to decongest Metro Manila,” he said.
To boost the country’s economy, Duterte said there’s a need to move the goods at a low cost at the shortest possible time.
He lamented the air traffic congestion that has delayed many flights and delivery of goods.
Duterte added that the congested seaport also hampered the import-export business.
”Even the service roads are lacking. We have only one port servicing the import and export needs. You know the law of supply and demand, that’s the economy,” he said.
“So I cannot reduce the taxes. I need the money to fix the economy,” he stressed. (PNA)