Phillipines: Tobacco Farmers Pin Hope on Senators

07/30/2012

Tobacco farmers in Ilocos Region are appealing to senators to take their plight into serious consideration when they act on the measure that seeks to impose exorbitant tax increase on tobacco products by as high as 708 percent. They aired their sentiments during a meeting of farmers’ organizations where they expressed concern over their predicament. The farmers said a 708% hike is the largest tax increase in the history of the Philippines and once imposed, would directly threaten their livelihood. Sulpicio Pablo of Sta. Cruz, Ilocos Sur province said that the sin tax bill would have a negative impact on the lives of tobacco farmers in the region. “Growing and selling tobacco is the only thing our forefathers taught us. This is only what we have,” he said. "I was taught by my father to plant tobacco when I was nine years old. From then on, my wife and my children have been tilling our rented land every planting season up to harvest time. This is where our daily sustenance comes from," Pablo said. Alexander Bumatay, of Cervantes, Ilocos Sur province expressed hope the senators would stop the increase in excise tax on tobacco products to protect the welfare of tobacco farmers and their dependents. "We send our children and grandchildren to school with our income from planting tobacco; our daily sustenance also come from our income. We hope the senators would stop the tax increase so we can sell all our produce and continue providing for our family," Bumatay said. Linda Lacuatra of Sudipen, La Union province asked the senators to support the tobacco farmers. "You are our only hope, that is why we are begging for your help," she pleaded. "I am appealing to them [senators] to consider the plight of tobacco farmers in many provinces. My five children are in school right now. What will happen if I don’t have the money to sustain their studies?" Lacuatra said. Jose de Vera, 54, of Vigan, Ilocos Sur, said that he is still in debt because of the money he borrowed recently for hospital expenses of one family member. "Planting tobacco is our only source of income. We need money not only for food but also for medical expenses when we get sick," he said. "I believe our senators will understand our situation. An additional tax will create more problems for people like us," De Vera said. Roland Gerases of Candon, Ilocos Sur said that he hoped senators would consider not only the revenues that would be generated with the passage of the measure increasing excise tax on alcohol and tobacco products. "We hope they would also consider our situation." "The senators should not pass the sin tax bill. What will happen to our product if nobody buys cigarette because of high taxes?" Gerases said. "If only there are alternative crops so we can support our family but based on our experience, only tobacco can yield high income in the whole of Ilocandia."