Minimum wage earners to benefit from TRAIN law through ‘social services,’ claims DOF exec

Minimum wage earners will still benefit from the new tax reform law through increased social protection and services, a Department of Finance executive claimed on Wednesday, amid criticism otherwise.

Answering questions from netizens, Finance Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Paola Alvarez said the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Act will benefit even the unemployed.

“Dadagdagan natin ‘yung kanilang benefits, ‘yung kanilang social protection, ‘yung mga social services na ating subsidy at syempre dun sa unemployed magkakaroon ng opportunity para sila ay makapagtrabaho,” she said in an episode of GMA News’ #AskAway.

She encouraged the unemployed to avail of free skill courses at the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, so they can qualify for jobs once the government’s massive infrastructure program “spurs.”

Two petitions have so far been filed before the Supreme Court seeking to strike down certain provisions of the law, which critics have taken to calling “anti-poor” due in part to rising commodity prices brought on by higher excise taxes on certain products, like petroleum.

Alvarez defended the tax reform law as she maintained that its framers did not violate any provision of the Constitution. — MDM, GMA News