(Eagle News) — Senator Grace Poe on Thursday, May 24, said she and her colleagues in the committee on public services would hold a hearing on the “domino effect” of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion law in Iloilo on Friday, May 25.
“Kailangang isipin natin kung paano mapagagaan ang buhay ng ating mga kababayan lalo na sa probinsya dahil sa pagmahal ng kuryente, tubig at bilihin at ang nakaambang pagtaas ng pamasahe,” Poe said.
She noted that the prices of utilities and gasoline were higher in the provinces.
“Kailangan din nating marinig ang mga hinaing ng mga nagmamaneho ng jeep, taxi, at bus sa mga probinsya. Minsan hindi sila nakakapunta sa Maynila para mapakinggan sa ating mga pagdinig kaya pupunta kami sa Iloilo at ito’y pagkakataon na rin ng ating mga kababayan sa Visayas na makilahok,” Poe said.
She said Senators Nancy Binay and JV Ejercito confirmed their attendance in the hearing at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan session hall at 10 a.m.
Among those invited, she said, were Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia, Iloilo City Rep. Jerry Treñas and Negros Occidental Rep. Mercedes Alvarez (6th district), Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr., Iloilo Vice-Gov. Christine Garin, Land Transportation Office chief Edgar Galvante, Internal Revenue Regional Director Alberto Olasiman.
Earlier, Poe said consumer prices rose 4.5% in April compared to a year ago.
She said it grew by the “fastest pace in over five years.”