Three lawmakers have filed a bill seeking to amend Republic Act 10963 or the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law to impose higher taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages.
In a press briefing held Tuesday, September 30, the legislators said the proposal aims to address the growing cases of obesity and non-communicable diseases in the Philippines.
“During the SONA [State of the Nation Address],” said Albay 1st District Rep. Cielo Krisel Lagman, “isa sa mga in-emphasize talaga ni Presidente [Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos, Jr.] ang tungkol sa nutrisyon.”
She added: “In-emphasize din ni Presidente ‘yong need para sa exercise and more physical activities. So, palagay ko, ‘pag nakita ‘to more of health-measure than a tax-measure, ‘yon ang strategy na gusto nating gawin.”
Under House Bill No. 5003, the tax rate on sugar-sweetened drinks using purely caloric sweeteners, purely non-caloric sweeteners, or a combination of both will be raised from ₱12 to ₱40 per liter.
The measure also proposes an additional ₱6 tax on flavored milk, fermented milk, flavored non-dairy milk beverages, and all sweetened coffee products.
The revenues from the excise tax will be allocated as follows: 40% to the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), 10% to the Department of Health’s Health Facilities Enhancement Program, and 50% to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
Lagman is joined by Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima and Dinagat Islands Lone District Rep. Kaka Bag-ao in pushing for HB 5003.