Health advocates call for increase in taxes of alcoholic beverages to reduce consumption | ABS-CBN
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Health advocates call for increase in taxes of alcoholic beverages to reduce consumption
A shop along Tomas Morato in Quezon City remains shut on March 16, 2021 with the imposition of a liquor ban in the city, including sale of alcoholic beverages, until March 31. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File
A shop along Tomas Morato in Quezon City remains shut on March 16, 2021 with the imposition of a liquor ban in the city, including sale of alcoholic beverages, until March 31. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/FileMANILA -- Health advocates are urging the government to pass a measure that will increase the excise taxes of alcoholic beverages, in a bid to discourage the public from drinking and, in effect, protect them from the dangers of the vice.
MANILA -- Health advocates are urging the government to pass a measure that will increase the excise taxes of alcoholic beverages, in a bid to discourage the public from drinking and, in effect, protect them from the dangers of the vice.
AJ Montesa, program officer for fiscal policy of Action for Economic Reforms (AER), said Tuesday they are pushing for a tax hike that will result in a 6.5% annual increase in prices of each bottle of alcoholic drink.
AJ Montesa, program officer for fiscal policy of Action for Economic Reforms (AER), said Tuesday they are pushing for a tax hike that will result in a 6.5% annual increase in prices of each bottle of alcoholic drink.
Montesa said this amount will help the Philippines achieve the World Health Organization (WHO)'s global target to decrease alcohol consumption by 2030.
Montesa said this amount will help the Philippines achieve the World Health Organization (WHO)'s global target to decrease alcohol consumption by 2030.
"I think Filipinos understand na ang alcohol ay hindi siya pangangailangan; hindi sya katumbas ng pagkain na may benefits sa health. So I think they understand na 'pag tinaas mo iyong presyo ng alcohol, hindi ibig sabihin na itataas ang presyo ng ibang bilihin," he told reporters.
"I think Filipinos understand na ang alcohol ay hindi siya pangangailangan; hindi sya katumbas ng pagkain na may benefits sa health. So I think they understand na 'pag tinaas mo iyong presyo ng alcohol, hindi ibig sabihin na itataas ang presyo ng ibang bilihin," he told reporters.
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(I think Filipinos understand that alcohol is not a necessity; it is not equivalent to food which has benefits for health. So, I think they understand that when you increase the price of alcohol, it doesn't mean that the prices of other goods will increase.)
(I think Filipinos understand that alcohol is not a necessity; it is not equivalent to food which has benefits for health. So, I think they understand that when you increase the price of alcohol, it doesn't mean that the prices of other goods will increase.)
Low-income individuals and the youth are expected to feel the worst impact of raising alcohol taxes, he said.
Low-income individuals and the youth are expected to feel the worst impact of raising alcohol taxes, he said.
"Hindi necessarily iyong mga addicted na sa alcohol, pero ito iyong mga kabataan -- halimbawa -- na wala naman silang sariling income. So usually humihingi lang iyan ng allowance. Pag tinaas mo iyong presyo ng alak, sila iyong mas may tendency na bawasan din iyong pagkonsumo nila. Iyong mga mahihirap din, maliit lang iyong current income nila," he added.
"Hindi necessarily iyong mga addicted na sa alcohol, pero ito iyong mga kabataan -- halimbawa -- na wala naman silang sariling income. So usually humihingi lang iyan ng allowance. Pag tinaas mo iyong presyo ng alak, sila iyong mas may tendency na bawasan din iyong pagkonsumo nila. Iyong mga mahihirap din, maliit lang iyong current income nila," he added.
(Not necessarily those who are already addicted to alcohol, but rather the youth - for example - who do not have their own income. They usually just ask for allowance. When you increase the price of alcohol, they are more likely to reduce their consumption. The poor as well, their current income is small.)
(Not necessarily those who are already addicted to alcohol, but rather the youth - for example - who do not have their own income. They usually just ask for allowance. When you increase the price of alcohol, they are more likely to reduce their consumption. The poor as well, their current income is small.)
Based on local research firm WR Numero's Public Perception on Alcohol Taxation survey participated by 1,765 Filipinos aged 18 and above, 67 percent of Filipinos support raising taxes on alcohol products, with the highest support recorded in Mindanao at 70 percent.
Based on local research firm WR Numero's Public Perception on Alcohol Taxation survey participated by 1,765 Filipinos aged 18 and above, 67 percent of Filipinos support raising taxes on alcohol products, with the highest support recorded in Mindanao at 70 percent.
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A separate survey by international public health organization Vital Strategies participated by 1,000 Filipinos aged 18 and above reveals 66% of Filipinos consider alcohol consumption to be a "major to moderate problem" in the Philippines.
A separate survey by international public health organization Vital Strategies participated by 1,000 Filipinos aged 18 and above reveals 66% of Filipinos consider alcohol consumption to be a "major to moderate problem" in the Philippines.
The study also found that when it comes to the harms of alcohol, Filipinos are most concerned about violence followed by health problems, while 68% of Filipinos "endorse fiscal policies such as taxes to reduce alcohol consumption."
The study also found that when it comes to the harms of alcohol, Filipinos are most concerned about violence followed by health problems, while 68% of Filipinos "endorse fiscal policies such as taxes to reduce alcohol consumption."
Finance Sec. Ralph Recto said Monday he is not keen on imposing new taxes.
Finance Sec. Ralph Recto said Monday he is not keen on imposing new taxes.
"Tax collections are projected to increase by an average of 11.8 percent annually. This is faster than the 8.8 percent projected growth of our nominal GDP... While no new tax proposals are on the table, refined revenue reforms await congressional approval. These reforms promise fairness and efficiency, ensuring that they do not translate to unnecessary burdens to Filipino consumers and taxpayers. Upon passage, these reforms could additionally inject an average of P42 billion annually into our coffers beginning in 2025," he said.
"Tax collections are projected to increase by an average of 11.8 percent annually. This is faster than the 8.8 percent projected growth of our nominal GDP... While no new tax proposals are on the table, refined revenue reforms await congressional approval. These reforms promise fairness and efficiency, ensuring that they do not translate to unnecessary burdens to Filipino consumers and taxpayers. Upon passage, these reforms could additionally inject an average of P42 billion annually into our coffers beginning in 2025," he said.
DANGERS OF DRINKING
Rodley Carza, Director of the Department of Health-Health Promotion Bureau (DOH-HPB), expressed support for the proposal.
Rodley Carza, Director of the Department of Health-Health Promotion Bureau (DOH-HPB), expressed support for the proposal.
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He said this would "definitely" support the implementation of Universal Health Care Law, should the collection be earmarked for health services.
He said this would "definitely" support the implementation of Universal Health Care Law, should the collection be earmarked for health services.
"Imagine a scenario wherein sobrang optimized natin iyong sin taxes. Hindi na natin kailangan magbayad ng premium kasi sapat na iyong nakokolekta natin, and definitely that is a welcome proposal... We will support any measure that will address our health issues as well as increase our investments in health," he explained.
"Imagine a scenario wherein sobrang optimized natin iyong sin taxes. Hindi na natin kailangan magbayad ng premium kasi sapat na iyong nakokolekta natin, and definitely that is a welcome proposal... We will support any measure that will address our health issues as well as increase our investments in health," he explained.
(Imagine a scenario where we have optimized the sin taxes so well. We wouldn't need to pay premiums anymore because what we collect would be sufficient, and that is definitely a welcome proposal. We will support any measure that will address our health issues as well as increase our investments in health.)
(Imagine a scenario where we have optimized the sin taxes so well. We wouldn't need to pay premiums anymore because what we collect would be sufficient, and that is definitely a welcome proposal. We will support any measure that will address our health issues as well as increase our investments in health.)
Carza urged the public to avoid alcohol drinking--or better yet, quit.
Carza urged the public to avoid alcohol drinking--or better yet, quit.
ANAKALUSUGAN Partylist Rep. Ray Florence Reyes shared that "within the next few weeks" he will file a bill seeking to impose higher taxes on alcoholic beverages, along with regulation on advertisements and labeling, and enforcement of already existing laws.
ANAKALUSUGAN Partylist Rep. Ray Florence Reyes shared that "within the next few weeks" he will file a bill seeking to impose higher taxes on alcoholic beverages, along with regulation on advertisements and labeling, and enforcement of already existing laws.
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"Here in the 19th Congress, we're data- driven, we're evidence-based already. With the leadership nina [House] Speaker Romualdez, we've seen that there is progressive change. So nakikinig naman iyong ating mga kasama sa Kongreso na pag nakita natin iyong data that kaya pa nating taasan iyong sin taxes," he said.
"Here in the 19th Congress, we're data- driven, we're evidence-based already. With the leadership nina [House] Speaker Romualdez, we've seen that there is progressive change. So nakikinig naman iyong ating mga kasama sa Kongreso na pag nakita natin iyong data that kaya pa nating taasan iyong sin taxes," he said.
(Here in the 19th Congress, we're data-driven, we're already evidence-based. With the leadership of [House] Speaker Romualdez, we've seen that there is progressive change. So our colleagues in the Congress are listening, and when we see the data that we can still increase the sin taxes, they are receptive.)
(Here in the 19th Congress, we're data-driven, we're already evidence-based. With the leadership of [House] Speaker Romualdez, we've seen that there is progressive change. So our colleagues in the Congress are listening, and when we see the data that we can still increase the sin taxes, they are receptive.)
"Kasi we've shown na tumataas na iyong GDP (gross domestic product) natin, and that tumataas pa rin iyong alcohol consumption per capita - showing na kaya pa nating itaas iyong buwis dito sa mga alcohol-related products. So magta-translate iyan to better tax revenues din actually para sa gobyerno, para sa ating earmarking for Universal Health Care [Law], for law enforcement, para sa anti-drunk driving, and iyong pag prohibit sa sale ng minors," he added.
"Kasi we've shown na tumataas na iyong GDP (gross domestic product) natin, and that tumataas pa rin iyong alcohol consumption per capita - showing na kaya pa nating itaas iyong buwis dito sa mga alcohol-related products. So magta-translate iyan to better tax revenues din actually para sa gobyerno, para sa ating earmarking for Universal Health Care [Law], for law enforcement, para sa anti-drunk driving, and iyong pag prohibit sa sale ng minors," he added.
(Because we've shown that our GDP (gross domestic product) is increasing, and that alcohol consumption per capita is still rising - this shows that we can still raise the taxes on alcohol-related products. This will actually translate to better tax revenues for the government, for our earmarking for Universal Health Care [Law], for law enforcement, for anti-drunk driving efforts, and for prohibiting the sale to minors.)
(Because we've shown that our GDP (gross domestic product) is increasing, and that alcohol consumption per capita is still rising - this shows that we can still raise the taxes on alcohol-related products. This will actually translate to better tax revenues for the government, for our earmarking for Universal Health Care [Law], for law enforcement, for anti-drunk driving efforts, and for prohibiting the sale to minors.)
HEALTH RISK
Pulmonologist and health advocate Dr. Maricar Limpin meanwhile warned the public that alcohol drinking results in many diseases, like liver and heart diseases, cancer.
Pulmonologist and health advocate Dr. Maricar Limpin meanwhile warned the public that alcohol drinking results in many diseases, like liver and heart diseases, cancer.
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Limpin added that when one drinks alcohol, he/she also consumes ethanol, which is a psychoactive and toxic substance that can cause dependence.
Limpin added that when one drinks alcohol, he/she also consumes ethanol, which is a psychoactive and toxic substance that can cause dependence.
Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2020 show there were 401 alcohol-related deaths in the Philippines, accounting for 0.06% of total deaths in the country.
Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2020 show there were 401 alcohol-related deaths in the Philippines, accounting for 0.06% of total deaths in the country.
"Drinking alcohol is associated with risks of developing noncommunicable diseases such as liver diseases, heart diseases, and different types of cancers, as well as mental health and behavioral conditions such as depression, anxiety and alcohol use disorders," the agency said.
"Drinking alcohol is associated with risks of developing noncommunicable diseases such as liver diseases, heart diseases, and different types of cancers, as well as mental health and behavioral conditions such as depression, anxiety and alcohol use disorders," the agency said.
"Alcohol is an established carcinogen and alcohol consumption increases the risk of several cancers, including breast, liver, head and neck, esophageal and colorectal cancers... There is no form of alcohol consumption that is risk-free. Even low levels of alcohol consumption carry some risks and can cause harm," it added.
"Alcohol is an established carcinogen and alcohol consumption increases the risk of several cancers, including breast, liver, head and neck, esophageal and colorectal cancers... There is no form of alcohol consumption that is risk-free. Even low levels of alcohol consumption carry some risks and can cause harm," it added.
FROM THE ARCHIVES:
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