MANILA – Senator Bam Aquino urged the government to widen assistance for the working and middle classes, citing their continued struggle with rising fuel and commodity prices despite limited access to state aid.

In a Labor Day statement, Aquino underscored the need to include the sector—comprising around 80 percent of Filipinos—in government support programs as the country faces ongoing economic challenges.

“Ngayong Araw ng mga Manggagawa, kinikilala natin ang mga kababayan nating nagtatrabaho. Sila ang kabilang sa working at middle class na binubuo ng 80 porsiyento ng mga Pilipino,” Aquino said.

“Mahalaga ang papel ng mga nagtatrabaho bilang matibay na haligi ng ating ekonomiya. Gayunpaman, sila rin ang labis na umaaray sa mataas na presyo ng bilihin at petrolyo. Nakalulungkot na para sa marami, wala pa ring natatanggap na anumang ayuda o tulong mula sa gobyerno,” he added.

Aquino said the concerns of the working and middle classes should remain a priority, particularly amid the ongoing oil crisis, and stressed that they should not be overlooked during times of crisis.

“Sa panahon ng sakuna o krisis, hindi puwedeng kalimutan ang mga kababayan nating nagtatrabaho. Napakahalaga na sila’y maprotektahan. Kailangang palawakin ng gobyerno ang ibinibigay nilang tulong upang sila’y mapabilang din dito,” he pointed out.

To help ease financial pressures, Aquino reiterated his proposal to suspend excise taxes on diesel and gasoline and to lower the value-added tax (VAT) on goods and services from 12 percent to 10 percent.

“Naniniwala ako na malaking hakbang ito upang mapagaan ang pasanin ng bawat nagtatrabahong Pilipino at ng kanilang mga pamilya, kaya patuloy nating isusulong ang mga rekomendasyong ito,” he said.

The senator recently filed Senate Bill No. 2047, which seeks to cut VAT rates on goods and services, including petroleum products, by amending provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997.

He also co-authored and co-sponsored Republic Act No. 12316, a newly enacted law that authorizes the President to suspend or reduce excise taxes on petroleum products during emergencies.

Earlier, on July 8, 2025, Aquino filed Senate Bill No. 265, proposing the removal of excise taxes on diesel, kerosene, liquefied petroleum gas, fuel oil, and unleaded gasoline under the TRAIN Law.

The measure forms part of Aquino’s 10 priority bills under his “Panukalang Batas para sa Abot-Kayang Pamumuhay” agenda, which aims to reduce living costs, increase incomes, and expand access to essential services.

Among the proposed measures are a ₱200 daily wage increase for private sector workers, VAT exemption on electricity, an increase in the income tax exemption threshold to ₱480,000 annually, and a salary upgrade for government nurses.

Other proposals include the removal of travel tax for Filipinos and ASEAN travelers within the region, a ₱1,000 monthly social pension for eligible senior citizens, and a free annual medical check-up program through PhilHealth.

Aquino is also pushing for legislation to standardize compensation and benefits for barangay workers and to promote voluntary profit-sharing schemes between employers and employees.

In addition, he is advocating for electricity subsidies and discounts to be funded through the national budget to ensure transparency and avoid additional costs for non-beneficiaries, particularly those in the working and middle-income sectors.