Panukalang ‘carbon tax’ na lilitaw sa electricity bill, alamin!

Panukalang ‘carbon tax’ na lilitaw sa electricity bill, alamin!

February 18, 2023 @ 1:30 PM 1 month ago


MANILA, Philippines- Isinusulong ng grupo ng Camarines Sur solons ang pagtatakda ng “carbon tax” sa paggamit ng kuryente (CTE) upang makalikom ng pondo para sa climate action initiatives.

Isa sa kanila si Camarines Sur 2nd district Rep. LRay Villafuerte, na sinabing makatutulong ang landmark tax sa pagkamit ng bansa sa decarbonization target na pag-aalis ng greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) ng 75 porsyento sa 2030.

Sa ilalim ng House Bill (HB) No.4939, ang CTE ay magiging katumbas ng P1 kada kilogram (kg) ng CO2 emission per kilowatt hour (kWh). Isasama ito sa monthly electricity bills ng consumers.

“Abrupt climate change is not only imminent; it is here. It is consequently necessary for us to make a significant contribution to the global effort to stabilize GHG concentrations in the atmosphere,” anang National Unity Party (NUP) president.

Subalit, nilalayon ng HB No.4939 na-iexempt mula sa pagbayad ng climate o carbon tax ang sumusunod: (1) mga tahanan na kumokonsumo ng 60 kWh o mas mababa kada buwan at (2) gumagamit ng kuryente mula sa renewable energy (RE) sources.

“The swift congressional approval of HB No.4739 will send a strong message to the global community of our country’s steadfast commitment to international climate action policy and the 19th Congress’ affirmation of the people’s right to a balanced and healthy ecology as well as the State’s paramount duty to safeguard such right for the present and future generations,” pahayag ni Villafuerte, na nagkasa ng parehong climate tax bill sa nakaraang Kongreso.

“Proceeds from this climate or carbon tax plan are to be used solely for programs designed to help the most vulnerable Philippine communities better adapt to erratic weather patterns responsible for the worsening natural calamities,” aniya.

“This measure, once approved, will be the first of its kind in the country. It recognizes the unfortunate status quo of the environment and encourages every Filipino to act now,” giit ni Villafuerte.

Sinabi pa niya na gagamitin ang makakalap sa CTE proceeds para maghanap ng alternatibo at alternative malinis na source ng enerhiya, makapagkasa ng green public transportation at ipakalat ang climate change awareness.

Kabilang sa co-authors ng HB No.4739 sina Camarines Sur Reps. Miguel Luis Villafuerte (5th district) at Tsuyoshi Anthony Horibata (1st district), at Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Nicolas Enciso VIII. RNT/SA