Sen. Cynthia Villar has reiterated that tobacco is included in the list of agricultural products covered by her proposed “Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act of 2023.”
She said this proposed law will amend the country’s “Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act” to include hoarding of agricultural products, profiteering, and cartels as economic sabotage.
“Tobacco will be included in the agricultural products covered by this law,” Villar, who was the guest speaker at the International Tobacco Agricultural Summit held in Taguig City recently, said.
She however acknowledged that the tobacco industry continues to play a vital role in the economy of the Philippines, being one of the world’s largest tobacco producers.
The National Tobacco Administration said the tobacco industry significantly contributes to employment and revenue generation in the country, supporting around 2.2 million Filipinos directly or indirectly.
“According to the Oxford Business Group’s Economic Impact Report in June 2022, tobacco cultivation was present in 23 provinces across 12 regions in the Philippines, with the Ilocos Region being the top producer at 69%, followed by Cagayan Valley at 23%, and Northern Mindanao ranking third, as of April 2022,” Villar said.
She said the industry’s significance to rural economies is highlighted by a 47.8% increase in the area planted for tobacco between 2019 and 2022.
The sin taxes for tobacco and alcohol implemented since 2013, now funds the national health budget, including Universal Health Care (UHC).