Senators opposed the proposal of the Health Department to impose taxes on salty food including ‘tuyo’ and ‘daing’.
Senator Ping Lacson said he will not support the proposal.
“Patawarin sana nila mga pagkain ng mahihirap. If the issue is health, DOH should focus their research on the unhealthy foods of the rich and affluent. I’m sure there are many,” Lacson told GMA News.
Senate President Tito Sotto told reporters that the DOH’s plan may be ‘overboard’.
“I think they are now going overboard. Bakit pati pagkain namin gustong pakialaman ng DOH? Ok na sigarilyo at alak, pero what to eat and what not to eat? Sobra na! Mamahalan nila para huwag kami kumain? It’s silly!” he said.
Senator Franklin Drilon said he will also object the proposal to add taxes to salted
Other senators also said that the proposal should be studied carefully first especially if the ones affected will be the poor.
Health Undersecretary Eric Domingo said that they are studying the possibility of adding tax to salty food to curb hypertension and heart disease cases in the country.
