Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Teodoro ‘Ted’ Herbosa has expressed his support for the proposed added tax on sugary drinks and junk food. He has cited ‘obesity’ as one of the most common health problems among Filipinos.
In a research conducted by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute, 36.6% or 27 million Filipinos aged 20 years or older, can be categorised under ‘obese’ (overweight) according to the World Health Organization’s body mass index.
Ted hopes that the increase in tax on sugary drinks and junk food will push the public to have a healthier lifestyle as well as help fund the government’s social and health services.
According to the Department of Finance, a Pesos 12 (US$0.22) beverage tax rate per litre of any sugary drink, regardless of the type of sweetener used, will be imposed in accordance with the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Law.
(For more information on the proposed tax on sugary products, go to Import-Export News under PHILIPPINES)
