Arroyo defends VAT before marketgoers in Manila

MANILA, Philippines - A day after ordering a "massive information drive" on the controversial measure, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo defended Wednesday the expanded value-added tax (EVAT) in Manila's San Andres Bukid area. Radio dzBB's Aileen Intia reported that President Arroyo sang the praises of EVAT, which she said plays a big role in funding projects for the poor. She said much of some P80 billion in EVAT collections is returned to the people in terms of pro-poor programs and public services. The VAT is also used to fund needed infrastructures like irrigation, roads and roll-on-roll-off (RORO) facilities, as well as government stores, she added. Mrs Arroyo also called anew for "hard work and unity" instead of criticisms. Earlier in the day, full-page ads appeared in major Metro Manila newspapers, explaining the benefits of EVAT to farmers. The full-page ads, titled "Feeding Our People Now," appeared in the Philippine Star and Manila Bulletin but did not indicate who placed them. "Tough reform measures put in place by President Arroyo, including the expanded value added tax, have raised enough revenues for the government to bankroll, among others, a slew of programs to boost farm productivity and enable Filipino farmers and consumers alike to ride out the unparalleled food crisis now buffeting the world," it said. Last Tuesday, Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman Jesus Dureza said there is an urgent need for a massive info campaign on the EVAT. Dureza invited "advocates" of the VAT to join them in mounting the information drive, saying the disapproval of the VAT could be the result of the poor and the masses being "uninformed" or even "manipulated." "Otherwise, they who are the least burdened but are the beneficiaries would have welcomed President Arroyo's State of the Nation Address," he added. Wednesday's ads also featured quotes from President Arroyo's State of the Nation Address last Monday, and several photos of Mrs Arroyo overseeing various government agriculture and fishery projects. "Because tough choices were made the global crisis did not catch us helpless and unprepared. Through foresight grift (sic) and political will, we built a shield around our country that has slowed down and somewhat softened the worst effects of the global crisis. We have the money to care for our poor and pay for food when there are shortages... To meet the challenge of today we will fed our people now, not later, and help them get through these hard times," said the quotes from the SONA. The ad listed several "accomplishments" of Mrs Arroyo on agricultural modernization and food security since 2001, including: * New irrigation facilities covering 146,000 hectares; * 2,347 post-harvest facilities; * P310.40 billion in credit assistance to 11.22 million farmers and fisherfolk; * 4000 kilometers of farm-to-market roads; * Put up 25 mariculture parks and 134 fish sanctuaries; * Released P101.91 billion for agriculture and fisheries projects; * In 2008 alone, allocated P2.84 billion in fertilizer and seed subsidies to 2.4 million farmers; * Set up 10,919 Tindahan Natin and 1,533 rolling stores, 31 Bagsakan centers, and 113 village Bagsakan outlets servicing 1.43 million families. Meanwhile, the Department of Health put up its own full-page ads in the Star and Bulletin, "supporting" the economic programs of Arroyo in her SONA. - GMANews.TV