Groups see Drilon's sin tax bill as victory, step closer to health goals

Two groups on Thursday praised Senator Franklin Drilon's version of the controversial sin tax bill, which they called a "victory" for health advocates. “We consider this a victory. This bill has in mind the right to health of every Filipino," Eng. Emer Rojas, president of the New Vois Association of the Philippines, said in a statement released Thursday. In an earlier sin tax hearing, Rojas said his vocal chords were removed because of stage-4 laryngeal cancer caused by smoking. He can speak only through a mechanical larynx. The New Vois Association of the Philippines Inc. is a non-profit and non-government cancer support, tobacco control, and person with disabilities advocacy group.   Rojas praised Drilon's substitute sin tax bill, which intends to raise state revenues from tobacco and alcohol products to P40 billion to P45 billion, or three times more than what Senator Ralph Recto initially endorsed in his committee report. Drilon specifically proposed a unitary tax rate of P32 per pack, a modification from the proposed P7.56 per pack to P12 in 2013, P22 in 2014, and P28 in 2015. "Having a unitary tax system for cigarettes is a good start, which paves the way for better health policies. This scheme will prevent smokers from downshifting to less expensive brands, thus assuring the reduction of smoking prevalence rates in the country,” said Rojas. Meanwhile, Atty. Irene Reyes of Health Justice Philippines added that Drilon's sin tax bill is "a step closer" to achieving the country's health goals.   “A unitary structure in taxing cigarettes is a definite milestone. Not only will it make taxation simpler and much easier to monitor and implement, but it also removes the option for smokers to shift to cheaper brands just to maintain the habit,” she said. She added that the only thing the bill needs is a provision for earmarking a portion of the revenue for health promotion.   “Sin tax can provide sustainable funding for health promotion. Even just P1B from the revenue generated ensures all Filipinos access to health.  We need to realize that keeping people healthy is just as important as curing the sick,” former health secretary Dr. Mario Villaverde said. The sin tax bill is currently being debated on the Senate floor. Drilon said he hopes to pass it by November. Recto, however, had doubted the government will be able to collect its projected P40 billion revenue, and that this target may cause a significant job loss. — LBG, GMA News