'Alak so cheap, so deadly': Groups call for higher alcohol taxes

Tombstones, 47 in total, were lined up along Boy Scout Circle to symbolize the 47 deaths occurring each day in the country due to alcohol, according to the Sin Tax Coalition. Agatha Gregorio, ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Various groups, including youth advocates, took part in a Halloween-themed creative action in Quezon City to call for the increase of alcohol taxes amid the high number of alcohol-related deaths among young Filipinos.

Tombstones, 47 in total, were lined up along Boy Scout Circle to symbolize the 47 deaths occurring each day in the country due to alcohol, according to the Sin Tax Coalition.

Participants called for a 25 percent increase in taxes for distilled spirits as well as a 10 percent increase for fermented liquor.

Alcopops should be taxed as beer as taxes on this are based on alcohol content, Action for Economic Reforms Legislative Officer Paul Roset added.

Alcopops are flavored beverages with a percentage of alcohol.

“Ang atin pong panukala, nabanggit na rin po kanina, ay 25 percent increase para po sa mga distilled spirits tulad po ng gin na talagang pangunahing kinokonsumo po ng masa. So ang katumbas po nito ay P9 na pag-increase sa presyo ng isang gin na nagkakahalaga ng P100," Roset told the media during the symbolic action. 

"At ‘yun naman pong isa po ay 10 percent naman po sa fermented liquor o mas kilala bilang beer. So kung ang P100 pong beer katumbas po nito ay P3 pagtaas ng kanyang presyo,” Roset added.

ACCESSIBLE TO YOUTH

Talking about alcopops, Roset said, “Talagang kinokonsumo po ng mga kabataan dahil ito’y matamis. Ito po’y gusto namin i-tax bilang beer. Kasi po kung ito po’y ita-tax as distilled spirit, based on alcohol content ang kanyang tax. Eh mababa ang kanyang alcohol content. Less than 5 percent lamang… Kasi po ang alcopops P34 ‘yung pinakamura. Mas mura pa sa lunch ng isang kabataan kaya abot kaya talaga’t abot kamay ng mga kabataan.”

Bataan 1st District Rep. Antonino Roman III, also present at the event, said he would file a bill next week towards stronger alcohol control measures.

Roman added he wants the revenue from added taxes on alcohol to be given to PhilHealth.

“Gusto nating ibigay ‘to sa PhilHealth, hindi lang sa DOH, para tutok na tutok, para pambayad ng hospital fees at tsaka professional fees ng mga doktor,” Roman said.

“Kikita pa ang pamahalaan… ‘Yung revenue na ‘yan, maaari nating ilaan sa PhilHealth para mapalawak ‘yung coverage, masagot ‘yung hospital fees. At pagka na-implementa na ‘yung tinatawag na DRG o diagnosis-related group, wala nang dahilan ang mga doktor na hindi sumama sa programa ng pamahalaan, at dahil diyan, mababayaran ‘yung professional fees nila,” Roman added.

The lawmaker also said he is for the aforementioned tax increase of 25 percent for distilled spirits and 10 percent for beer.

Over 17,000 Filipinos die each year due to alcohol, according to Philippine Addition Specialists Society’s Dr. Allandale Nacino.

“The medical community is urging action, and we must protect the youth and the future generation. So increasing the alcohol tax is actually critical to fight this killer. So cheap, so deadly. Keep alcohol out of reach,” Nacino said.

- Agatha Gregorio (ABS-CBN News)