The House of Representatives has started deliberation on the controversial bills on sin taxes in a bid to increase tax collections of the government.
Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez, author of House Bill no. 3759 proposing a unitary tax rate on cigarettes, noted that aside from revenue collection, "the thrust of these measures on sin taxes is to discourage the youth from taking cigarette and liquors at the early age."
"Cigarette smoking has become a status symbol for the youth and is considered as a primary cause of respiratory illnesses resulting in financial burden on the government in terms of increased health assistance and subsidies to citizens," he added.
Nueva Ecija Rep. Joseph Gilbert Violago, author of HB 4951, said that while the primary purpose of taxation is to raise revenue which is an essential support for the myriad functions of the government, taxes can also be made effective to implement police powers to promote general welfare such as safeguarding the health of the people and funding essential services to promote public health.
Aside from HBs 3759 and 4951, other measures on sin taxes being deliberated on by the Committee on Ways and Means, chaired by Antique Rep. Exequiel Javier include HB 2551 increasing excise tax rates on alcohol and tobacco products filed by Manila Rep Bienvenido Abante Jr.; HB 3917 increasing tax rates on cigars and cigarettes by Sorsogon Rep. Jose Solis; and HB 3787 seeking to restructure the excise tax on alcohol products also by Suarez. - PNA
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