Sugar sector opposes tax hike amid El Niño, pest threats

MANILA, Philippines — The sugar industry is urging the Department of Finance (DOF) to reconsider its proposal to raise the excise tax on sweetened beverages, warning that the increase could further hurt local producers already grappling with pest infestations, El Niño, and other production challenges. On Tuesday, the Philippine Sugar Millers Association Inc. (PSMA) said in a