ONE way to spur economic growth amid the pandemic is to open all schools, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said.

The chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture said that conducting face-to-face classes add economic activity.

“One of the ways of speeding up the growth of our economy is going back to face-to-face classes. Opening up of face-to-face classes also add economic activity and the other way of increasing revenue is to curb smuggling and corruption,” Gatchalian said.

He issued the statement following the proposal for a consolidated fiscal plan which includes expanding E-VAT coverage, adding new taxes, including excise taxes on oil products and deferring the reduction of personal income tax.

Gatchalian stressed that raising taxes should be the last recourse.

“Government is not the only one feeling the pinch, our business people are also feeling the pinch. A lot of people coming out of the pandemic are feeling the pinch so it should be the last recourse. That’s why the first activity should be, let’s grow the economy,” the senator said.

“Let’s bring it back to the pre-pandemic level growing at 7 percent and there are still things that we can do. Open face-to-face classes, improve tourism activities, things like these can improve the economy,” he added.