BIGGER DUTY FREE SHOPPING PRIVILEGE MULLED
Clark Field, April 24, 1998 - The cabinet is considering the increase of duty free shopping privileges for non-residents of Olongapo and Angeles City, presently pegged at only $25 per day.
Residents of Olongapo and Angeles, where the special economic and freeport zones are, enjoy a monthly duty-free privilege of $100. The $25 daily shopping privilege for visitors was granted by Malacanang last year as part of the centennial attractions, and will last only till the end of 1998.
However, the government must balance the effect of the increased duty-free allowance against projected revenue losses.
"We must understand if there is too much duty-free or free this and that, you might be hurting yourself because we have to raise revenues to support our social programs," President Ramos told residents during an inspection tour.
Malacanang had restricted duty free shops' operations in Clark and Subic following pressure from local manufacturers and after several allegations of widespread smuggling.
© Copyright, 1998
All rights reserved