By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Sugar Alliance of the Philippines (SAP) Spokesperson Atty. Emilio Yulo said they are concerned over the planned inclusion of sugar-sweetened beverages in the government’s tax reform package, which was earlier passed by the ways and means committee of the House of Representatives.
In a text message sent by Yulo, he said they are opposed to the imposition of excise tax on sugar as it will create an even bigger problem to the sugar industry.
Yulo has called on all sugar stakeholders especially in Negros Occidental to remain vigilant and make representations in both the House of Representatives and the Philippine Senate to ensure they hear the plight of those involved.
Earlier, Abang Lingkod Party list Rep. Stephen Paduano expressed surprise over the inclusion of sugar-sweetened beverages in the government’s tax reform package.
The first-termer solon said excise taxes is supposed to be imposed on high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) but it cannot be taxed under the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Free Trade Agreement entered into by the Philippines with other Asian nations.
Paduano said this will be an additional problem for people because it will jack up the prices of beverages including commonly-used products like 3-in-1 coffee, compounding further problems of the sugar industry that had been threatened recently by the entry of HFCS./WDJ