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Sen. Mar Roxas has proposed a bill seeking the removal of the
documentary stamp tax (DST) imposed on overseas Filipino worker (OFW)
remittances to give them more savings and greater purchasing power,
amid criticism of Malacañang’s refusal to withdraw it.
For every remittance an OFW makes, a DST of 0.15
percent is collected by the government. Roxas’ bill amends Sec.
181 of the Tax Reform Act of 1997, that allows this fee to be
collected.
“To some, the imposition may be minuscule and
insignificant. But to OFWs and their families, such imposition
becomes another financial burden,” said Roxas, author of Senate
Bill No. 2479, that removes the DST on OFW remittances.
Market prices of basic commodities have
increased significantly, with chicken already at P120 per kilo, beef
brisket at P180 per kilo, pork liempo at P170 per kilo, and bangus
and tilapia at P80 to P90 per kilo. All increases increased by an
average of P10 compared to 2007 prices,” noted Roxas.
Meanwhile, militant OFW alliance Migrante
International has condemned the refusal of Malacañang to remove
charges and fees on remittances sent by OFWs.
Deputy presidential spokesperson Lorelie Fajardo
earlier stated that the government can not easily scrap or even
lessen remittances fees.
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