President Rodrigo Duterte has certified as urgent the bill that seeks to increase taxes on tobacco products.
The certification was signed by Duterte on Tuesday (May 28) “to address the urgent need to further protect the right to health of the people and to maintain a broader fiscal space to support the effective implementation of the Universal Health Care Act,” based on the document.
READ: Healthcare funding gap to get bigger if no sin tax increase —DOF
The Department of Finance (DOF) and the Department of Health (DOH) continue to appeal to senators for the passage of a new ‘sin’ tax hike.
According to Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, higher tobacco taxes can generate more jobs for Filipino workers.
“All of these will translate into larger investments and more jobs for Filipino workers. So, you see, it is not just about getting an upgrade. It is about upgrading everyone’s life,” Dominguez said on Sunday (May 26).
When a bill is certified as urgent, Congress can immediately pass it on third and final reading after it is approved on the second reading.
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