65% of NCR Residents Doubt VAT Earnings Go to Social Services

Published on Aug 2, 2008

Last Updated on Apr 23, 2009 at 9:04 pm

Majority of Metro Manila residents believe that revenues from VAT do not go to social services.

BY IBON FOUNDATION
Posted by Bulatlat
Volume VIII, Number 26, August 3-9, 2008

While Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo stood firm in her State of the Nation Address against abolishing the value-added tax (VAT) because it will sacrifice funds for social programs, majority of Metro Manila residents believe that revenues from VAT do not go to social services.

According to the special survey conducted by IBON Foundation, 65 percent of National Capital Region (NCR) residents do not believe that the revenues from VAT are being spent for social services and other needs of people. Meanwhile, 27 percent said they believe the revenues are going to social services while 7.8 percent said they do not know.

Various people’s groups and lawmakers, including the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), have been demanding for the removal of the regressive VAT.

Below is the tabulation of results of people’s perception on the value-added tax and social services.

Do you believe that VAT revenues are going to social services spending and other needs of the people?