JULY 31, 2012

NR # 2817B

House leader urges Congress to heed President Aquinos appeal to enact Sin Tax Reform Law
The Chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means today urged Congress to heed the appeal of President Aquino during his State of the Nation Address (SONA) to enact the Sin Tax Reform Law covering alcohol and tobacco products to raise more funds for the governments health programs. Rep. Isidro Ungab (3rd District, Davao City) said all sectors, most especially Congress, should support the President in his thrust to raise more government funds to finance health services and programs for the people. Congress should heed the appeal of the President to pass the sin tax reform measure considering the health benefits it can contribute to the country, said Ungab. He added I believe all sectors should support the President. This is the best time to change for a better future under the leadership of a well meaning President. In his SONA last week, the President made a pitch for the immediate enactment into law of the sin tax reform bill which aims to provide immense contribution to the governments campaign to curb smoking and raise more funds for health programs. Nais din nating makamit ang Universal Health Care, at magkaroon ng sapat na kagamitan, pasilidad, at tauhan ang ating mga institusyong pangkalusugan. Sa pagtugon natin sa mga ito, malaki ang maiaambag ng Sin Tax Bill. Maipasa na po sana ito sa lalong madaling panahon. Mababawasan na ang bisyo, madadagdagan pa ang pondo para sa kalusugan, said the President. On June 7, 2012, the House of Representatives passed on third and final reading the substitute bill to House Bill 5727 authored by Rep. Joseph Emilio Abaya (1st District, Cavite) which seeks to restructure the excise tax on alcohol and tobacco products. The bill had been transmitted to the Senate last June 20. Senator Ralph Recto, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, said they want the sin tax bill discussed at the Senate floor by September. Discussions on the bill at the committee level will start in two weeks, with a final approval eyed before yearend according to him. Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said as legislators, they respect the wish of the President but they will have to see whether the people can afford it the way it was proposed or there is some degree of improvement that has to be done. Senator Franklin Drilon, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, said that upon his initiative, senators have agreed to include the sin tax reform bill in their legislative priorities for the Third Regular Session. He stressed the passage of the sin tax bill will contribute additional government revenue, which could be used to pursue the governments health agenda particularly the program that provides PhilHealth insurance to the poorest Filipinos. (30) rbb