By Bohol Island News Staff | 07:40 PM October 30, 2019
Who does not love dried fish or “buwad?”
Buwad also called daing or tuyô in other parts of the country, is known for its saltiness that tickles one’s taste buds especially when dipped in spiced vinegar and paired with garlic fried rice and a sunny-side-up egg.
But this Filipino favorite and other salted foods may soon be slapped with taxes as the Department of Health (DOH) seeks to reduce sodium intake among Filipinos and improve their health.
Health Undersecretary Eric Domingo said in a press conference on Wednesday at the presidential palace that too much salt in the diet could cause hypertension, heart and kidney diseases.
“Ito yung iniisip natin na pag-aralan na pag tataasan natin ang buwis sa salted food maaaring magkaroon ito ng positive na outcomes sa ating mga kalusugan (So, this is something that we want to study that if we tax salted food, it can have a positive outcome on our health),” Domingo said.
Asked if buwad (daing) will be included in the possible list of salty foods that will be taxed, the health official replied: “Yes, it should be included—it will include all foods.”
“There’s nothing concrete right now but it’s something the Department of Health is studying,” he added.
A bill seeking to impose “salt tax” failed to pass in the 17th Congress.
A tax reform law signed in 2017 introduced an excise tax on sugar-sweetened drinks as a health measure.
The Department of Finance and the DOH are also pushing for an increase in sin tax to help fund a universal healthcare system in the Philippines.
