Nestlé Philippines is urging the government to take a data-driven, consultative approach to any increase in the tax on sugar-sweetened beverages, arguing that higher levies should be judged by whether they actually improve Filipinos’ health.
Nestlé Philippines Senior Vice President and Head of Corporate Affairs Jose Uy III said the company supports policies that encourage healthier lifestyles, consistent with its nutrition, health, and wellness agenda.
“We are not against a policy that helps encourage Filipino healthy living. That is part of us and our purpose,” Uy said during a briefing Thursday.
But he said any major change to the sugar tax should undergo scientific assessment, regulatory impact analysis, and consultation with affected industries and other stakeholders.
The call comes as lawmakers consider the Progressive Tax Reform and Growth for Resilience, Opportunity, and Sustainability, or ProGRESS, bill, which proposes raising the excise tax on sugar-sweetened beverages to P20 per liter for sugar-based drinks and P40 per liter for beverages using high-fructose corn syrup.
The proposed increases could affect companies such as Nestlé Philippines, which sells a range of beverage products.
Uy said regulators should determine whether higher taxes would deliver their intended health outcomes while also considering food affordability and accessibility.
Nestlé Nutrition Advocacy Lead Ivy Sicat went further, questioning whether existing nutrition policies have produced measurable improvements.
“There’s no improvement. So why? Because our policies are not based on evidence,” Sicat said.
She said the government should first establish a clear baseline, with the Department of Health determining the actual contribution of sugar to Filipino diets and whether additional taxation would materially improve health outcomes.
The broader diet also needs scrutiny, she said, pointing to nutritional gaps involving protein and fiber that could be overlooked if policy focuses too narrowly on sugar.
The debate puts the sugar tax at the intersection of public health, consumer prices, and industry interests.
Nestlé’s position is not a rejection of regulation. It is a call to make the evidence do the heavy lifting before the tax bill gets heavier.
