THE proposed taxation on sugar-sweetened beverages has gained wider support, with main proponent in Congress describing it as a pro-poor measure aimed to check the alarming rise in obesity among Filipinos.
Nueva Ecija Rep. Estrellita Suansing, the primary proponent of the SSB tax, said at a Senate hearing that her measure would actually protect Filipinos from the risks of serious ailments such as diabetes and “non-communicable diseases related to the excessive intake of sugar, including chronic disease, diet-related cancers, and chronic heart and cardiovascular diseases.” She said this was contrary to the misconception that her proposal would hurt poor families the most.
“These diseases pose a serious threat to public health, and should be instantly addressed by my proposed measure,” said Suansing at a recent hearing of the Senate ways and means committee on the proposed tax.
Among the government agencies that have backed Suansing’s proposal at the Senate hearing were the Health Department, National Economic and Development Authority, Food and Drug Administration, Philippine Health Insurance Corp. and the Foreign Affairs Department.
Suansing originally filed House Bill No. 292 that aims to impose an excise tax equivalent to P10 for every liter for beverages sweetened with local sugar, and P20 for those with high-fructose corn syrup or imported sugar.
Her proposal was among the 54 tax-related bills incorporated into the final version of House Bill 5636, or the proposed Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act, that was approved by an overwhelming majority of the House of Representatives before the Congress’ sine die adjournment.
Suansing cited the results of the National Nutrition Survey conducted by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute, which showed that the prevalence of being overweight and obesity among Filipino children aged zero to five years old has significantly risen from one percent in 1989 to 5 percent in 2013.