In conditions to pass to the Executive for its promulgation as a law was the project that allows the mechanism for the stabilization of fuel prices (Mepco) to deliver the price variations of gasoline and diesel every 21 days and no longer weekly, as it applies until today.
The Chamber supported the bill in the third stage, ratifying all the changes made by the Senate. It was adopted by 111 votes to 3, with 26 abstentions.
Specifically, the changes aim to specify the period of application of the percentage adjustments for the calculation of the price of diesel. Thus, it is stated that these will apply between April 16, 2023 and April 15, 2024.
The figure that will apply for the calculation between the date of publication of the law and April 15, 2023 is also increased.
The rules of the project seek to define a longer period of price stability, between the ups and downs that may be experienced.
This will help to accentuate the “safe” profile of the mechanism. This will allow to maintain a programming of values for a longer time, a fact that will benefit transport in general, but also the products associated with this situation, such as those sold in a business or supermarket.
To materialize the change in the Mepco, the proposal also specifies how the specific fuel tax will be calculated in the different weeks of that period.
Cargo transport
Additionally, the text presents some specific benefits for the freight transport sector. They were agreed between the Executive and the union in the context of the truckers’ strike held at the end of November.
In particular, the validity of the partial refund of the specific tax on diesel oil for companies in this sector is extended until December 31, 2023. For this, the following scale will be applied:
80%, for taxpayers whose annual income has been equal to or less than UF2,400.
70%, for taxpayers whose annual income has been greater than UF2,400 and does not exceed UF6,000.
52 5%, for taxpayers whose annual income has exceeded UF6,000 and does not exceed UF20,000.
31%, for taxpayers whose annual income has been greater than UF20,000.
Along with the above, it establishes the price regime applicable to diesel oil until April 15, 2023. This will ensure that prices are maintained for 120 days, unchanged. Likewise, this norm establishes the mechanism that allows such stabilization.
Then, a temporary regime is established applicable for the price adjustments of diesel oil to which the operation of the Mepco gives rise. The period, as mentioned above, is between April 16, 2023 and April 15, 2024. Here a maximum of increases of 0.25 UTM per cubic meter is defined every 21 days.
Finally, it is detailed that the extension of the partial refund benefit will apply to all invoices issued during tax year 2023.
Most legislators proposed the approval of this project. But, they also called on the government to open the discussion on the maintenance of the specific tax on fuels.
Deputy Mauricio Ojeda (IND), in particular, recalled that this tax was born due to specific circumstances of reconstruction after the earthquake of 1985. Therefore, its permanence would not be justified.
It was also argued that the increase in fuel prices affects the poorest people, who do not see the benefit of a mechanism such as the MEPCO, because week after week they see prices rising.
In the criticism of the text, some questioned that it arose from the pressure exerted by the truckers’ union, after the strike last November, and that these benefits do not extend to other sectors such as passenger transport. Also, in the temporality for its application, considering that currently the price of the dollar and fuels are falling.
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