27 May 2015 – Philippine Ambassador to China Erlinda F. Basilio participated as one of the panelists in the World Health Organization (WHO) Health Dialogue, with the theme “Tobacco Taxation to Finance Investment in Health: Lessons from the Global Experience for China” held at the Office of the WHO Representative in China on May 11.  The event is jointly hosted with the World Bank (WB). 

World Bank (WB) China Country Director Mr. Bert Hofman, University of California-Berkeley Emeritus Professor Teh Wei Hu, and Professor Rose Zheng from the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing, joined the Ambassador as panelists during the dialogue. Dr. Bernhard Schwartländer, WHO Representative in China, was the moderator of this event. 

During the dialogue, Ambassador Basilio provided the audience an overview of the primary objectives and salient points of the Philippines’ Republic Act No. 10351, otherwise known as the Sin Tax Law, signed by President Benigno S. Aquino III on 20 December 2012, and took effect on 01 January 2013. 

Ambassador Basilio shared with the audience the impact of the implementation of the Sin Tax Law on tobacco consumption, collecting revenues for the Philippine Government’s health programs, promoting health, and the broader economy of the country.   Ambassador Basilio also expressed support for the Chinese government’s efforts to curb tobacco consumption, especially with the latter’s pronouncement to prohibit smoking in public and other designated areas, and strongly urged the young Chinese audience to support its government’s undertaking to promote better health in China. 

WHO’s Health Dialogues are designed to provide a platform for strategic discussion on critical public health issues facing China.  Target audience includes diplomats, national and international non-government organizations (NGOs), government officials, and members of the academe. END