VALERIANO FILES “AHON ACT,” TARGETED RELIEF FOR WORKERS, MIDDLE CLASS, BUSINESSES
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Manila 2nd District Rep. Rolando “CRV” Valeriano filed House Bill No. 8826, or the “AHON Act” (Agapay sa Hanapbuhay at Operasyon ng Negosyo), a targeted economic relief package designed to help workers, the middle class, and businesses cope with rising fuel prices and transport costs.
Valeriano said the measure focuses on reducing transportation, logistics, and daily living costs so relief is immediately felt across households and enterprises.
“Kapag bumaba ang transport at logistics cost, ramdam agad ng lahat ang ginhawa. Iyan ang layunin ng AHON, tulungan ang manggagawa, middle class, at negosyo,” Valeriano said.
The lawmaker emphasized that the AHON Act directly addresses the needs of the middle class, a sector often overlooked during crises.
“Ang middle class ang kadalasang naiipit, hindi kwalipikado sa ayuda, pero sila ang tinatamaan ng mataas na presyo at paborito pang singilin ng buwis. Sa AHON, direkta nating binabawasan ang kanilang gastos,” he said.
Among the proposed measures under the AHON Act are temporary reductions in toll fees, airport charges, and seaport fees to lower transport and logistics costs nationwide. These interventions aim to reduce commuting expenses, stabilize cargo and shipping costs, and help bring down the prices of goods and deliveries.
The bill also promotes loan payment relief, including payment holidays, restructuring options, and waiver of penalties, to ease financial pressure on households with housing, car, and consumer loans. It likewise encourages suspension of utility disconnections during the emergency period to give families breathing room for electricity, water, and internet payments.
The AHON Act further provides fuel cost tax credits for logistics firms to reduce transport expenses, which may translate to lower grocery prices and delivery fees for consumers.
“Kasama rin sa panukala ang tax-free wage support para sa mga manggagawa, interest-free MSME loans, LPG discount vouchers, at iba pang targeted relief measures upang maprotektahan ang trabaho at matulungan ang mga negosyo sa panahon ng fuel-driven inflation,” the Vice Chair of the House Committee on Ways and Means said.
“Ang layunin ng AHON ay pababain ang gastos sa transport, logistics, at araw-araw na pamumuhay. Kapag bumaba ang mga ito, ramdam agad ng manggagawa, middle class, at negosyo ang ginhawa,” Valeriano stressed. (BONG SON)