‘JUNK-FOOD binging is quite prevalent not only in the Philippines but in the world, due to changes in eating behavior and lifestyle brought about by urbanization and globalization,” Philippine College of Physicians (PCP) Foundation President Dr. Tony Leachon said. He said they are already wary on the penchant of Filipinos to eat voluminous amount of junk food, particularly chips and sodas.
Medical conditions stemming from junk food include obesity, diabetes, hypertension, gall-bladder stones, fatty liver and other cardiovascular conditions.
However, they see the proposal of President-elect Rodrigo R. Duterte to impose additional tax on junk food as a helpful solution.
“We support imposing ‘sin’ taxes on sodas and junk food…. A healthy discussion is needed involving stakeholders,” he noted.
Leachon said the additional tax on junk food and soft drinks can easily be patterned after the sin tax imposed on tobacco and alcohol products.
Among them, he said, is by giving more budget allocation for the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. in order to make it more capable to help those least able to afford the medical care they require. Leachon said another possible allocation for junk-food taxes is for subsidizing the provision of healthy food, like fruits and vegetables, for poor children.