Plastic bags excise tax

The technical working group (TWG) of the House Committee on Ways and Means has agreed to come up with a substitute bill seeking to impose excise tax on plastic bags used in supermarkets, malls, shops, stores, sales outlets, and other similar establishments. The TWG, presided by Batangas Rep. Lianda Bolivia decided to include all the “pertinent recommendations” of the concerned stakeholders in the substitute measure. The panel is expected to consolidate House Bills 8523 and 8558, authored by Sultan Kudarat Rep. Horacio Suansing Jr. and Manila Rep. John Marvin “Yul Servo” Nieto. HBs 8523 and 8558 seek to impose a P10 tax on each plastic bag used in supermarkets, malls, shops, stores, sales outlets, and other similar establishments to be charged against the customers. “The purpose of the proposed measure is to regulate the use of plastic bags and instill in people’s minds the adverse effect on the environment from the improper disposal of plastic bags,” Bolilia said. The substitute bill will be reported out to the mother Committee for its consideration and approval when Congress resumes session in January next year. Bukidnon Rep. Manuel Zubiri pointed out that 80 percent of plastic wastes that pollute the soil, waterways and shorelines in the urban areas are the nonreusable or single-use plastic bags, while only 20 percent consist of plastic used as original packaging for goods or products. (Charissa M. LuciAtienza)