Beverage Manufacturers Appeal To Revise Proposed Sugar Tax

Beverage Manufacturers Appeal To Senate Of Considering To Revise Sugar Tax Proposal

The beverage manufacturers appealed to the lawmakers to reconsider the revision of the sugar tax proposal on sugar sweetened drinks.

On Tuesday (August 01, 2017), Roman Romulo, the executive director of Beverage Industry Association of the Philippines wants the lawmaker to change the proposed excise tax on sweetened drinks such as soft drinks, instant coffee and much more to make it as a health measure for everybody.

Romulo said that the proposed sugar tax should be based on the sugar content of sweetened drinks and not on the volume of the product. He made the statement after a P10 excise tax per liter of sugar-sweetened beverages was proposed by the Department of Finance.

The executive director also explained that the proposed excise tax would be beneficial if it will be passed as a health measure to fight against obesity and diabetes.

“Mas fairer kasi kung ipapasa siya as a health measure, at sinasabi na dahil sa diabetes at obesity, tingnan natin kung ano yung asukal ng bawat beverage at yung mas marami ang sugar content, yung mas maraming nilalaman na asukal, yun ang mapapatawan ng mas mataas na buwis,” said by Romulo quoted by ANC.

Romulo also cited a data from the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) stating that the cases of obesity and diabetes for the past few years have increased, but the sugar intake of the Filipino people has been already reduced.

He also said that cl(–foul word(s) removed–) A and B who have higher income is the most victim of obesity. A survey from AC Nielsen shows that the increase on sugar tax would affect the lower brackets of C, D, and E.

Roman was also hoping that the Department of Finance and the Senate would consider the consumers who will be affected by the proposed sugar tax increase.

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