The mayors of Rota and Tinian are not entirely opposing the proposed sugar tax to be implemented in the CNMI despite of the fact that commodities sold on their islands already have higher prices compared to Saipan.<\/p>\n
Business leaders on Saipan have earlier aired their concerns that a 4-cent tax per fluid ounce of sugar-sweetened beverages and syrups can result to a price increase of these products to up to 300 percent.<\/p>\n
Rota Mayor Efraim Atalig outright said he supports the bill.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy position, to me, there\u2019s nothing wrong with that,\u201d Atalig said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAn example is the liquor here on island. No matter how much you raise the price of that, they\u2019ll buy it because it\u2019s what they want. I don\u2019t see anything wrong with that. Yes it will affect the prices but even if you increase taxes on beer and cigarettes, people still buy them,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
For Atalig, there is just a need to balance the positive and the negative.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have to balance this. I understand that they are concerned about health as well, at the same time we\u2019re concerned about high prices,\u201d Atalig said.<\/p>\n
However, Atalig added that the law may be repealed if its purpose of promoting healthier lifestyles is not met.<\/p>\n
\u201c[Its effect on health] remains to be seen and the law can be repealed if we see that it\u2019s not really working. I guess we need to look at it mid or long term,\u201d Atalig said.<\/p>\n
Tinian Mayor Joey Patrick San Nicolas, on the other hand, said he would like to see an analysis or study on what would be the effect of the proposed tax to the islands particularly economy-wise.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d like to know if there has been any analysis how it will affect our economy but I think the intent is very noble. Their attempts to curb diabetes, hypertension, bad health\u2026we really need to give the legislature credit,\u201d San Nicolas said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf the intent was to curb diabetes, then I got to respect that but at the same time I\u2019d like to know how this is going to affect everybody\u2019s bottom line,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Both mayors said they will provide written comments to Gov. Ralph DLG Torres who has yet to decide whether to sign or veto the bill passed by the Legislature last month.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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