Bulacan 3rd District Rep. Lorna Silverio noted that tax increase of sweetened products was contained in the House version of the bill on Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion under the Comprehensive Tax Reform Package or CTRP being considered by Congress.
Silverio said she is supporting the bill as a measure to curve the worsening cases of diabetes among Filipinos, as well as to support the programs and projects of Pres. Duterte.
Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez earlier said the passage of the CTRP this year would lead to earnings worth P23.1 billion and, in 2018, P48.6 billion.
Bulacan 1st District Rep. Jose Antonio Sy-Alvarado also said he was supporting the bill so as to enable Pres. Duterte to realize all infrastructure projects mapped out by his administration.
“It’s a bill that balances government funding need and public health,” he noted.
Bulacan 4th District Rep. Linabelle Ruth Villarica and Rep. Florida Robes of the Lone District of San Jose del Monte also expressed support for the bill for the same reasons.
Both cited studies of the Department of Health showing that consumption of sweetened products have led not only to diabetes, but also to other blood sugar disorders such as obesity and, indirectly, bone fractures, hyperacidity, tooth decay and even heart diseases.
They also referenced the 8th National Nutrition Survey citing the growing number of overweight Filipino children aged five to 10.
