Miriam wants tax on unhealthy foods

MANILA, Philippines – Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago recently filed a resolution seeking to tax junk foods to curb the prevalence of obesity in the country.

She said this would deter adults from over-consumption of “less healthy foods.”

“It is imperative for the government to address the alarming issue of obesity by devising programs which would instill health awareness among young Filipino adults and encourage them to actively engage in physical workout to prevent the onslaught of obesity,” Santiago said in Resolution 214.    

Citing a study conducted by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Santiago noted that as of 2008, 27 in 100 adults are overweight.

Santiago noted that 2.7 percent of adults in the Philippines aged 20 and above suffer from impaired fasting glucose, while 4.8 percent suffer from hyperglycemia or high fasting blood sugar.

Santiago said manufacturers and distributors are expected to oppose the proposal.

 The senator suffers from hypothyroidism, a deficiency in the production of thyroid hormones by the thyroid gland, causing metabolism to slow down, therefore resulting in weight gain.

Santiago yesterday fell on stage before addressing a forum in Istanbul, Turkey. After examination by doctors, she was declared to be in a stable condition.

Santiago was in Turkey to speak before the annual forum of Parliamentarians for Global Action where she urged countries to become parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.