Priest supports call to scrap EVAT on oil

ILOILO City – Jaro Social Action Center (JASAC) head Monsignor Meliton Oso has expressed support to the call of the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) to scrap or suspend the Expanded Value-Added Tax (EVAT) on oil.

The Catholic official cited the present high cost of living as the result of EVAT.

Oso said the EVAT is an additional burden to the overburdened populace, particularly those hit by Typhoon “Frank” in Panay island.

“I personally have an axe to grind on the EVAT,” Oso said.

Oso as JASAC head manages 10 Botika ng Parokya and Bigasan sa Parokya that sell medicines and rice to the poor.

Because of EVAT, he said they have to jock up the prices of the commodities, thereby forfeiting the reason that they have to make available cheap medicines and rice to the poor people. (PNA)