LOOK: Group urges Senate to pass bill on liquor, vape tax hike before yearend
MANILA, Philippines — Sin tax advocates on Monday urged senators anew to pass a bill that seeks to increase the excise tax rates on liquor, e-cigarettes and vapor products before the year ends.
On the resumption of the 18th Congress, members of the Sin Tax Coalition held a show of force in front of the Senate to call for the immediate passage of the said measure.
Members of the Sin Tax Coalition hold protest action in front of the Senate to call for the immediate passage of a measure seeking to impose higher excise tax on alcohol and vapor products. Photo by Cathy Miranda/INQUIRER.net
Members of the Sin Tax Coalition hold protest action in front of the Senate to call for the immediate passage of a measure seeking to impose higher excise tax on alcohol and vapor products. Photo by Cathy Miranda/INQUIRER.net
Sin Tax Coalition Coordinator Viv Apostol underscored the need to provide additional funding for the Universal Health Care Act.
“We know that the Universal Health Care still needs around P74 billion, and how will we fund this landmark reform if we are not going to impose new taxes?” Apostol told INQUIRER.net on the sidelines of the protest action.
Members of the Sin Tax Coalition hold protest action in front of the Senate to call for the immediate passage of a measure seeking to impose higher excise tax on alcohol and vapor products. Photo by Cathy Miranda/INQUIRER.net
Members of the Sin Tax Coalition hold protest action in front of the Senate to call for the immediate passage of a measure seeking to impose higher excise tax on alcohol and vapor products. Photo by Cathy Miranda/INQUIRER.net
Apostol said that while a bill increasing the excise tax on tobacco products has already been passed into law, “it is still insufficient to fund the Universal Health Care.”
READ: BREAKING: Duterte signs higher sin tax for tobacco
She also said that “we want these products away from the youth.”
“As of now, one out of five vapers or e-cigarette users come from the youth,” she added.
Apostol cited a Global School-based Health Survey which showed that around two out of three young Filipinos have already tried alcohol before the age of 14.
“This is really concerning and so here we are again showing our force, showing the Filipino people why we must raise sin taxes to fund our Universal Health Care,” she added.
The coalition, likewise, reiterated its call to President Rodrigo Duterte to certify the tax hike on alcohol and vape as an urgent measure.
The House of Representatives earlier passed the bill that will gradually increase excise tax rates on liquor and heated tobacco and vapor products.
READ: House OKs bill hiking taxes on alcohol, e-cigar, vape products on final reading
However, the Senate’s version of the bill is still pending.
Senator Pia Cayetano, chair of the Senate ways and means committee, endorsed Senate Bill No. 1074 for plenary approval last September 25. /je
READ: Bill raising tobacco, alcohol taxes reaches Senate floor
