Hikes and taxes

(First published online on February 8, 2011)

I’m not an authority to speak for what is right or what is legal. I also ask a lot of questions to appease myself whether what they had been doing is still limited to the boundary of what is logical and democratic. What I don’t understand is how some Filipinos can be idiot by going on public and shouting their rants without fully analyzing what had been coming out of their mouths. I’m a proud Filipino but I’m ashamed to what these so-called ‘fighters of democracy’ had been doing.

Know the issue. Analyze it. Communicate. Going in public is the last thing that one must do. Remember that EDSA 1 had been a success because they no longer knew then what the only option left to solve their crisis was but to go on mass demonstration and proved that united, we could succeed. Nowadays, the idea of people power is being diverted and by other people not living by its concept, sadly, the spirit dies with their false belief.

In the past few days, I pity most of the people for they had been clamoring the persistent hikes in local commodities. I join them in asking the president to place a ceiling price to contain these increases and not let cartel go on. Because of my low salary, I also ask the authorities if they can manage to help us have a wage hike. However, the point that I want to highlight in this blog is the looming fare hikes in LRT/MRT.

Starting from the day that I realize how to ride an LRT, their fares had been consistent. As this new administration came, they suddenly want to increase whatever the public has been paying. Some of the people in the DOTC even said that the current price can be doubled once the new fare has been implemented. Their reason for the pumping up of prices is that they can no longer shoulder the paying of the subsidy for it. As they jack up the prices, they likewise promise that it could help in lessening the taxes that we have been paying. That point, I think the government is only being sensible.

What I can’t take is when some students go out of their classes and protest that the government must stop this looming increase and at the same time lessen the tax. That thing, I think is illogical and stupid. The government can stop the fare hike but if we are to wish for that, we must no longer ask for the decrease in our taxes because this is what our government is using to subsidize what the public should be paying.

And if we are to analyze the issue further, we can say that it’s alright for them to increase the fare at a reasonable price but continue with their plan to lessen our taxes. In this way, we are looking for a long term solution and if our taxes will be decreased, chances are, other commodities can also have a rollback. It means prices of oil, food and basic necessities will also be lessened. Taxes play a very big role in our industry and people must realize that they should not short-change this for just the price of one.

Now, others have been complaining that LRT/MRT is the only mode of transportation that they can use to arrive to their location quickly. At that point, other people are once again being selfish. If they really want to be in their schedule sharp without paying too much given that the fare hike for LRT/MRT will be implemented; they should have the discipline to pack up early, giving ample time for their transportation so as they will not be late for their appointment. Now, if they’re late then it’s just fitting for them to face the consequences like paying additional price for their fare. It all boils down to discipline. If you don’t have it, don’t blame your government.

I go with the implementation of the fare hike for LRT/MRT and I will be one of their guards as well to see if it is properly being implemented. Guys, don’t be stupid, think first of the long term effects of this before you act because there are a lot more depressing issues  around us like the abnormal global weather and it’s sad to say that some people are looking on the other side away from this very alarming case.