Philippines Senate Considers Bill to Impose Excise Tax on Single-Use Plastic Bags

The Philippine Senate Dec. 15 accepted for consideration Bill No. 1608, to impose an excise tax on single-use plastic bags. The bill includes measures to: 1) levy an excise tax of 100 Philippine pesos (US$1.70) per kilogram on plastic bags removed from the place of production or released from customs, with the rate increasing by 4 percent annually starting Jan. 1, 2026; 2) define plastic bags as secondary level plastics made of synthetic or semisynthetic organic polymers, such as ice, labo, or sando bags, with or without handles, used as packaging for goods or products; 3) require the filing of ...