The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) granted clearance for the conduct of the National Survey to Monitor the Impact of the Sin Tax Law proposed by the Department of Health and Philippine Council for Health Research and Development, which shall be conducted by the Organic Intelligence Consulting, Inc.

The survey which will be conducted from February to March 2021 aims to establish a mechanism to regularly monitor the Sin Tax Law implementation. It also aims to determine its impact on the population, specifically on the following intermediate outcomes and corresponding indicators:

            a. Prevalence, expenditure, knowledge, attitudes, and behavior on alcohol consumption; and
            b. Prevalence, expenditure, knowledge, attitudes, and behavior on smoking and tobacco use.

Outcomes of the survey will track the performance and results of the Sin Tax Law on the population by monitoring the awareness, attitudes, and behavior related to sin products across different areas in the Philippines. Findings from the study will help concerned officials assess the effectiveness of the Sin Tax Law and determine room for improvement, which may enhance its impact, and how it is communicated to the public. Results will also assist the Department of Health (DOH) and the country’s policy makers in crafting strategies to increase effectiveness of the Sin Tax Law through identifying shifts in population knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions.

The survey will be conducted through personal interview of the sampled 1,700 individuals in all 17 regions of the Philippines.

Major data items to be collected in this undertaking include the following topics:

           a. Socio-demographic data: gender, age, family income, civil status, and employment; and
           b. Sin product usage data: usage of cigarettes, other smoking products, and alcoholic beverages.

A total budget amounting to PhP 1.6 million will be utilized in the survey.

This undertaking was reviewed and cleared for conduct under the Statistical Survey Review and Clearance System (SSRCS), a mechanism being implemented by the PSA by virtue of Rule 28 of Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) No. 10625 to:

           a. ensure sound design for data collection;
           b. minimize the burden placed upon respondents;
           c. effect economy in statistical data collection;
           d. eliminate unnecessary duplication of statistical data collection efforts; and
           e. achieve better coordination of government statistical activities.

In line with this, the PSA enjoins the public to support the said survey.

For further information on SSRCS, please contact the Statistical Standards Division (SSD) of the Standards Service (SS) with telephone numbers (02) 8376-1928 and (02) 8376-1931, and email addresses: ssd.staff@psa.gov.ph or ssdss.staff@gmail.com.

DENNIS S. MAPA, Ph.D.
Undersecretary
National Statistician and Civil Registrar General

See more at the Statistical Survey Review and Clearance System (SSRCS) landing page