Department of Energy Secretary Sharon Garin stated in her Facebook post that the agency supports the removal of Value-Added Tax (VAT) from electricity costs.

However, she clarified that the final decision won’t depend on the DOE.

“Hindi din ang DOE ang magdedesisyon sa VAT removal,” based on her online-issued statement.

[“The DOE will not be the one to decide on the VAT removal.”]

The decision will be made with the Economic Managers and Congress, as the removal has a wide effect on the economy.

“Nasa Economic Managers at Kongreso ito dahil may mas malawak na epekto sa ekonomiya,” she added

[“It’s on the Economic Managers and Congress because it has a wide effect on the economy.”]

The Secretary also stated that VAT removal is not the only solution to lower electricity prices. She noted that while the removal of VAT is under study, the agency is continuously working to make electricity more affordable.

“Pero hindi lang VAT removal ang solution. Habang ponag-aaralan ito, tuloy-tuloy ang trabaho namin pababain ang gastos sa kuryente sa pamamagitan ng dagdag supply at mas mabilis na renewable energy rollout,” she said

[“But the VAT removal is not the only solution. While this is currently under study, we work continuously to lower the expense in electricity through additional supply and faster renewable energy rollout.”]