A LAWMAKER has filed a measure that seeks to strengthen local government participation in agriculture development by institutionalizing a minimum of 10% allocation from their National Tax Allotment (NTA) for the implementation of programs, activities, and services for agriculture and fisheries.

In filing House Bill (HB) No. 7597 or the “Local Agri-Fisheries Development Act,” AGRI Party-list Representative Wilbert T. Lee reiterated that the agriculture and fisheries sector must get its fair share of public funding to attain the country’s food security and redeem itself as an “agriculture powerhouse,” at par with other ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries.

“Agriculture is one of the most important sectors in our society, not just in providing jobs and livelihood, but also in ensuring that there is food in every household in the country. Kung hindi natin tututukan ang sektor na ito, gutom ang aabutin hindi lang ng agri workers, kundi ng buong bansa,” Lee said.

“Our initial advantages in agricultural research and productivity have been lost, and the agriculture sector has weakened in the last two decades. Local government units (LGUs) can play a crucial role in transforming the agriculture and fisheries sector,” he added.

In a related development, AnaKalusugan Party-list Rep. Ray Reyes is pushing to further increase the “sin tax” in the country to fund Universal Health Care (UHC) and promote a healthier lifestyle, especially among the youth.

“Studies have shown that ‘Sin Tax’ is working lalo na sa ating mga kabataan. Through this measure, we help millions of Filipinos from acquiring preventable diseases – especially tobacco-related illnesses,” Reyes said.

Reyes cited a recent study from the University of the Philippines Population Institute (UPPI) which showed a decrease in alcohol, cigarette, and vape consumption among teens due to the rising costs of sin products.

The recent Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Study (YAFS) showed that smoking among 15 to 24-year-olds went down from a high of 22% in 1994 to 12% in 2021.

Reyes said increasing taxes on tobacco, alcohol, and other sin products will also further help in funding the UHC and give Filipinos access to quality and affordable healthcare services.

“We are still one of the countries with lowest sin taxes and there is still more work to be done for us to get within the WHO standards of Universal Health Care,” he said.

Reyes also said that they are currently studying how to increase taxes on vape products and sugary drinks.

“Vape products are usually branded as a ‘safer’ alternative to cigarettes. This is misleading because they still cause harm to the body,” he said.

“Excess intake of sugar meanwhile can lead to obesity which continues its uptrend in the country. According to DOH, more than 30% of Filipino adolescents are projected to be overweight and obese by 2030 if no action is taken,” he added.

The Philippines recently celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Sin Tax Reform Law of 2012.

Over the last decade, the price of cigarettes has nearly quadrupled, and consequently, the prevalence of tobacco smoking in the country fell from 29.7% in 2009 to 19.5% in 2021.

Under the Mandanas-Garcia case ruling of the Supreme Court, Lee said LGUs ought to have a higher budget that can directly provide interventions to their local needs. In this new fiscal regime, there is a strong case to be made for greater prioritization and just share of the agricultural sector for its growth and development.

“Kasabay ng pagpapalakas sa mandato ng LGU, automatic dapat silang maglaan ng kaukulang pondo kada taon para sa agri-fishery, tulad ng dagdag na ayuda sa mga magsasaka at mangingisda, at suporta sa micro and small businesses na nakaasa sa sektor. Sa pamamagitan nito, maraming mahihikayat na manatili sa agrikultura at maraming malilikhang trabaho, Winner Tayo Lahat,” he added.

Under HB 7597, local agriculture development programs shall focus on areas that contribute to the competitiveness of the sector. These include the availability and production of seeds, livestock, fingerlings, and other farm and fishery inputs, mechanization and post-harvest equipment and facilities, communal irrigation systems and maintenance, marketing of products, credit, guarantee, and agriculture insurance, knowledge of better farming systems, and knowledge of organic farming, among others.

The initial funding requirements to implement the Act shall be charged against the current appropriations of the LGU. Thereafter, the needed funding for the implementation of the Act shall be included in the yearly budget of the LGU from their NTA.