The Philippine Retailers Association has called on the government to provide more clarity on the proposed single-use plastic tax, saying that it is unclear what types of plastics would be subject to the tax.
Philippine Retailers Association President Roberto Claudio Sr. said that the proposed measure would be a positive step for the environment, but that it is important to ensure that the tax is implemented fairly.
“We support the idea of reducing plastic pollution, but we need to make sure that the burden of the tax is not placed solely on retailers,” Claudio said. “We need to ensure that there is a clear definition of what constitutes ‘single-use plastic’ and that the tax is applied evenly to all types of plastic products.”
Claudio also expressed concern that the tax could lead to increased costs for consumers.
“We need to be careful not to pass on the costs of the tax to consumers,” he said. “We need to find ways to reduce our reliance on single-use plastics without placing an undue burden on businesses or consumers.”
The proposed single-use plastic tax is one of several revenue-raising measures that the government is considering as part of its medium-term fiscal plan. Other measures include the rationalization of the mining fiscal regime, the motor vehicle road users’ tax, and the excise tax on sweetened beverages and junk foods.
The government is hoping that these measures will help to raise additional revenue to fund its infrastructure projects and other priorities.