Solons laud signing of 2018 national budget, TRAIN into law

Lawmakers from the House of Representatives on Tuesday lauded the signing of the proposed 2018 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) and the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) bill into law, optimistic of the positive impact these measures will have on society and the economy.

In his message, House Committee on Appropriations chair Karlo Nograles said the newly-enacted GAB "changes the lives of countless people" though tuition-free college education.

"By allocating P40 billion to cover for the tuition and miscellaneous fees of students in all State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), young Filipinos will be armed with the most important tool in ensuring success in their lives—a college education," he said.

Nograles said the law will benefit students from 114 SUCs, 16 Local Universities and Colleges accredited by Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and 122 Technical-Vocational Institutions under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

The lawmaker called on CHED to start an information drive on the free college education so than no college enrollee from far-flung areas would be left behind.

"So, when we talk about providing hope to our people, no other national budget in the country's history can match this GAA. It is brimming with hope as well as the promise of economic progress via [the] 'Build Build Build' program," he added.

For his part, Kabayan party-list Representative Ron Salo said that with the signing of the 2018 national budget and the TRAIN, Filipino families will start to feel a more comfortable life.

"Filipinos will feel the reality of financial and economic comfort millions of Filipinos will feel next year, starting with more cash in their hands, pockets, and wallets because of the simplified and updated personal income tax," he said.

"The 2018 national budget and TRAIN will not only spread good vibes. They will spread multiplier effects the likes of which Filipinos have not felt and seen in decades," he added.

Meanwhile, 1-Ang Edukasyon party-list Representative Salvador Belaro Jr. took a swipe at those critical of the national budget and the tax reform program, saying their jobs as "trolls" will be a more difficult task to accomplish.

He said the signing of the two measures will further boost Duterte's popularity as well as that of the majority of the 17th Congress.

"No amount of black propaganda they will hurl can negate the comfort millions of Filipinos will feel every day of their lives from now on," Belaro said.

"The critics will keep trying. They will keep failing. Their resistance is futile. It would be better for them to come out of the dark side and step into the light," he added. — BM, GMA News