THE Sin Tax Coalition on Thursday reminded House Commission on Appointments member Rep. Rodante Marcoleta that Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Teodoro Herbosa’s primary duty is to “protect and promote health interests.”
The group gave their reaction after Marcoleta reprimanded Herbosa for cautioning the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) against its plans to make the Philippines an e-cigarette and heated tobacco product (HTP) manufacturing hub. This, they said, is deeply “misguided.”
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., they said, appointed Herbosa as Secretary of Health and that the DOH chief’s warning addressed to DTI is ” in fulfillment of his duty as Health Secretary and by extension, in fulfillment of his accountability to the President and the people.”
“We believe that Sec. Herbosa, like the President, seeks to balance commercial and health perspectives, and highlighting the health perspective through warning DTI on the potential of the tobacco epidemic is exactly what the President expects him to do,” the group said.
Herbosa, they added, is actually protecting the country, and in turn, the reputation of the administration, by raising public health concerns.
“It would be detrimental for the Philippines to become a hub for harmful products that are being rejected by countries all over the world,” they said.
The group said the international community has recognized that e-cigarette use is linked to significant health and economic harm.
Likewise, governments are sounding the alarm on potentially fatal diseases linked to e-cigarette use, such as e-cigarette and vaping related lung injury (EVALI).
Furthermore, they stressed, Marcoleta overlooked the fact that healthcare for all is an advocacy of First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos.
“This image as a staunch health advocate will be tainted if the Philippines becomes a purveyor of harmful products like e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products,” the AER added.
They also commended Herbosa for being steadfast in upholding public health and protecting the country’s gains on reducing tobacco consumption.
“We also urge the DTI and economic managers to reassess their plan to develop the Philippines as an e-cigarette manufacturing hub. It is crucial that our industrial policy balances economic interests with the health and well-being of our citizens,” they said.
Source: business mirror