Preamble
WHEREAS, in order to accelerate the economic and social development of the country, the Government must provide the construction and improvement of highways, roads, bridges and other infrastructures; WHEREAS, the expected tax revenues based on the present rates of specific taxes are still inadequate to carry on the present program of highway improvement and development; WHEREAS, notwithstanding the last increase in the rate of specific tax on gasoline, the tax on gasoline in the Philippines is still one of the lowest in the world as revealed in a comparative study of the gasoline taxes in several countries/cities; WHEREAS, in order to improve and simplify tax administration, it is desirable to adopt a uniform tax treatment for all refined and manufactured petroleum products; and WHEREAS, the increase in tax on motor fuels and oil is consistent with the present policy to conserve fuel; NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers in me vested by the Constitution as Commander-in-Chief of all the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and pursuant to Proclamation No. 1081, dated September 21, 1972, and General Order No. 1, dated September 22, 1972, do hereby order and decree the following: