THE Aquino administration expressed hope that the Senate will pass the Sin Tax Reform Bill which aims to generate government’s revenues to strengthen the country’s health care system, a Palace official said on Thursday.
“The Senate began committee hearings today on the bill rationalizing excise taxes on liquor and tobacco products. If passed, this bill could raise revenues of over 31 billion pesos in its first year of implementation,” Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office (PCDSPO) Secretary Ramon Carandang said in a statement issued on Thursday.
“These funds would go to expanding basic health care, particularly for poor Filipinos,” Carandang said.
The passage of the Sin Tax Reform Bill will strengthen the country’s health care system as taxes collected from cigarettes and liquors are expected to fund an expanded universal healthcare coverage, according to Carandang.
“There are 17.3 million smokers in the Philippines. Many of them are from the lower income classes, and cannot afford proper medical treatment when they develop illnesses from smoking,” he said.
“For these reasons, we hope the Senate sees the wisdom of passing the Sin Tax Bill. After all, this bill is, first and foremost, a health measure. In particular, we commend Senator Franklin Drilon for his support,” he said. (PCOO)
