SENATORS Juan Miguel Zubiri and Edgardo “Sonny” Angara on Monday vowed to oppose the proposal to tax books and other reading materials under the proposed package 2 of the Tax Reform Acceleration and Inclusion (Train) Law. This means that incentives, including VAT [value-added tax] and customs-duty exemption, on importation of raw materials for book publication will be removed, which may result in higher prices of books. “The tax exemption on these items should remain, as books are an integral part of education and learning. We should keep books as affordable and accessible as possible,” the Senate majority leader said. “I will oppose the provision that will tax books and other reading, learning, and instructional materials and software,” he added.

Source: Manila Times September 24, 2018 16:07 UTC