Philippine gov't on sin-tax bill: Public health is non-negotiable

MANILA, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- The Philippine government on Wednesday thumbed down the call of supermarket owners for a lower increase in the excise tax on tobacco and alcohol products since public healththe primary beneficiary of the sin-tax reform bill is "non-negotiable."

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda was responding to the appeal of the Philippine Association of Supermarkets Inc., who are seeking a "reasonable" hike in the excise tax of so-called sin products as the current rate proposed in Congress would reduce their sales volume.

"Public health is non-negotiable. That's part of the reason why we're looking at it from both endspublic health and revenue generation. It has never been an issue. That's the reason why we' re reforming the sin tax. The proceeds will go to our public health," Lacierda said.

He said the government expects to generate "enough revenues," estimated at 33 billion pesos (about 789.47 million U.S. dollars), from the measure to augment funds for its universal health coverage program. Enditem