Taxing the Modern Day Heroes

We have been reading from various reports, both of local and foreign agencies, that it is the OFWs who are keeping the economy of the Philippines afloat for the last two decades. For this alone, the presidents of post Edsa 1 should thank the late President Marcos and Secretary Blas Ople.

The reports speak of billions, not just millions, of dollars brought into the country by this segment of Philippine society year after year. And each year that amount continues to increase. Compare this amount with the total annual foreign investments that the government is able to generate, and we will all agree that the foreign investment is just a drop in the pool.

But look at the tax holiday and exemption privileges that are granted to those foreign investors, and compare the same to the privileges granted to us OFWs. While the foreign investors send their income to their home countries, our remittances stay in the Philippines, where it continues to fuel our economy in motion.

Now tell me, should we not be afforded better tax privileges than those foreign investors?

What is funny actually is as WE continue to bring more dollars into the country and help strengthen the peso, OUR real income also continue to erode. From 56 to 48 that is eight pesos lost for every dollar we earn - all for the sake of the Philippine economy! That of course may not be considered taxation. Sacrifice is a better term.

Sacrifice it is indeed. My wife always tell me, " ang laki na ang nawawala sa income natin; baba ng baba ang dollar, hindi naman bumababa ang presyo ng bilihin". I am sure those words of complain are familiar to many of us here. And what is our routine reply? "Wala tayong magagawa ganyan talaga, sakripisyo na lang total ikagaganda naman ng bansa natin yan".

But if the economy has really improved, why don't we feel it? Why have prices of prime commodities, transport and basic services not gone down? Why are there more families suffering from starvation?

While WE feel the pains brought about by the economy we helped to strengthened, the elite businessmen in Makati, as well as the foreign investors, are enjoying the fruits of OUR labor. Sila pa lang ang nakikinabang from the gains the economy WE helped propel has brought about.

It is really frustrating, if not unfortunate, that from the many things that could be done to show a token of appreciation to US who have contributed in keeping the Philippine economy afloat, all the present Administration could think about is how to extract more taxes from US.

If this is the kind of agenda that the Administration has in their platter, then the more I'll say NO to Team Unity; NO to Taxes!