Senator Win Gatchalian is urging the government to suspend the excise tax on diesel, calling it the “fuel for the masses” due to its vital role in public transport and logistics.
His appeal follows President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s suspension of excise taxes on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and kerosene, which he believes should be expanded to include diesel for broader public relief.
“Ito ang ginagamit ng marami sa ating mga public utility drivers, public utility vehicles, pang-deliver ng gulay at prutas. Logistics, yan talaga ang pinakamalawak na fuel o malawak na ginagamit sa mga sasakyan at transportasyon,” Gatchalian said in a radio interview.
The senator pointed to the sharp rise in pump prices as justification for intervention.
“Kaya ako ang aking panawagan ay isuspend pa rin. Dahil kung titignan natin, nag-umpisa tayo sa ₱60 per liter. Ngayon, nasa ₱110, ₱115 pa rin tayo per liter. Halos doble pa rin,” he added.
Gatchalian also challenged the Department of Finance’s (DOF) claim that suspending fuel taxes mainly benefits the wealthy, clarifying that diesel powers essential services.
“Pero ang diesel, gamit yan ng mga jeep, gamit ng mga bus, gamit ng mga truck, gamit rin nga yan ng mga generator sa mga isla,” he noted.
“Kaya mas malawak yung paggamit ng diesel. Kaya ako nakikita ko na meron pa rin, at this point, meron pa rin dahilan na pwedeng suspindihan ng excise tax sa diesel.”
If a full suspension is not feasible, he suggested a targeted approach to ensure aid reaches those most in need.
However, he expressed frustration over the slow rollout of current subsidy programs, noting that only 45% of intended beneficiaries have received assistance despite more than a month of implementation.
“Ako pabor ako sa targeted approach dahil ang targeted, una-una, diretso yan sa mga nangangailangan talaga. At pangalawa, yung mga totoong nangangailangan na nabibigyan ng tulong,” he said.
“Kung titignan yung pagbibigay ng fuel subsidy 45% pa lang ang nabibigyan. Eh, ano na, isang buwan at kalahati na ngayon. So, yun ang problema natin, ang bagal ng pagbibigay ng targeted subsidy.”