"SIN" TAX LAW - nO HUGE IMPACT oN BORACAY TOURISTS

The Sin Tax Law will not have a big impact on tourists in Boracay especially on foreign tourists.

This was the statement of Dionesio “Jony” Salme, the President of the Boracay Foundation Incorporated (BFI) when he was reached for reaction on the issue.

He explained that if the prices of alcoholic beverages and cigarette from the Philippines and other countries are to be compared, the so called “sin” products have relatively much higher prices in other countries.

However, according to Salme, those who will be more affected by the price increase on the “sin” products will be the local consumers.

Salme, nevertheless, believes that in the long run this will be beneficial to the health of cigarette, and alcoholic beverage consumers since their vices will be lessened due to the price increase.

He also expressed personal support to the passing into law of the Sin Tax Bill.

 President Benigno Aquino III signed Republic Act No. 10351 or the Sin Tax Bill into law in December 2012. With the passage, there will be a yearly increase on “sin” products.

This was despite the opposition from tobacco farmers and wine and spirit distillers.