By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Senator Juan Miguel ‘Migz’ Zubiri yesterday promised to fight for the reduction of the P10 per liter excise tax on sugar-sweetened products.
Zubiri said he will push for a tax around P5 per liter on products using locally-produced sugar, while maintaining the P20 per liter excise tax on products using other sugar substitutes like high fructose corn syrup (HFCS).
The P5 per liter tax was initially proposed by the Visayan Bloc in the House of Representatives but failed to hurdle the Committee on Ways and Means.
“That will be my thrust when Congress resumes after the State of the Nation Address,” he said. “I may sound biased, but we have to fight for our sugar farmers.”
He also recognized the possibility of drawing the ire of economic managers, but called it “a small sacrifice for the good of the sugar industry.”
“P5 per liter will at least have a minimal effect on the sugar industry,” the senator assured.
Aside from lowering the proposed excise tax, Zubiri said Sugar Order No. 3, which was issued by the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), should remain in place and to urge the of Agriculture to protect the sugar farmers.
He also sought the assistance of the Sugar Alliance in Negros to urge other senators to oppose the use of HFCS, adding, the Senate Committee on Agriculture is “unanimously against it.”/WDJ