Additional 10% tax on soft drinks pushed by lawmakers

Several lawmakers are pushing to increase the ad valorem tax (according to value) on soft drinks and other carbonated beverages by 10 percent.

They believe that this is an effective way to combat the increasing number of cases of diabetes and obesity in the Philippines.

Nueva Ecija Representative Estrellita Suansing is the author of this bill known as House Bill 3365.

According to Rep. Suansing, this bill would be collecting more than P10 billion revenue from soft drinks tax and it will be allocated to the calamity victims as well as other projects such as infrastructures, livelihood and housing programs.

Remember that Filipinos are "rice eater." So sana huwag na nating dagdagan, noh, yung sugar sa katawan ng mga Filipinos. - Rep. Suansing

As per the draft sugar guidelines of World Health Organization (WHO), the daily sugar allowance of a person is only equivalent to 6 teaspoons, while a can of sugar-sweetened soda contains 40 grams of sugar or equivalent to 9-10 teaspoons.

But WHO also explained that we are consuming much sugars without knowing because it is most likely hidden in the processed foods that are not considered as "sweets". In fact, 1 tablespoon of ketchup already contains 1 teaspoon of sugar.

Department of Health admitted that there is no study that directly connecting the consumption of soft drinks to obesity. Therefore, Beverage Industry Association of the Philippines (BIAP), additional tax on soft drinks is not the solution for health problems.

People consume many different kinds of foods and beverages. So no one single food or beverage can be said to be responsible Atty. Adel Tamano said.