By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

After previously supporting moves to tax sugary beverages, in an interview yesterday morning, Save the Sugar Industry Movement (SAVE-SIM) lead convenor Wennie Sancho said an additional tax on sugary beverages could have a domino effect on other elements needed for sugarcane plantations, such as petroleum, farm implements, and fertilizers.
Additionally, last month, the labor leader indicated he would like to see a rise in sugar prices, noting, “If sugar prices are high, it will assure the livelihood of sugar workers.”
However, he noted, Negros Occidental Rep. Alfredo Benitez introduced an amendment to the Sugar Industry Development Act (SIDA), which would increase the mandated annual budget allocation from P2-billion to P5.5 billion.
The tax proposal suggests around 20 percent of the taxes taken will go towards increasing the industry budget.
Meanwhile, Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr. said legislators should lobby for a lower tax rate, saying the P5 being pushed by Benitez should be lowered.
“It could be further reduced to around P2.50 or P2,” Marañon said.
Earlier, Sugar Alliance of the Philippines (SAP) Spokesperson, Atty. Emilio Yulo, said they are concerned over the new tax measure, which is part of the tax reform package proposed by the administration President Rodrigo Duterte.
Yulo said they are opposed to the imposition of an excise tax on sugar, claiming it will create bigger problems for the sugar industry./WDJ