The Child Rights Coalition Asia (CRC Asia) issued its position paper on the Philippine Tax Reform Bill underscoring that tax reform should benefit children and youth.

Tax reform should include provisions that should guarantee 1) the transparency on public resources, 2) the earmarking of health, education, and protection and 3) the participation of members of society, including children, in the budget process.

The logic is simple: A transparent financial system contributes to increased public budget for children by impeding corruption and mismanagement of funds; Investing in social services for children is a crucial way to uphold their best interests; Lastly, encouraging children’s participation in the budget process ensures that they are able to harness and safeguard their rights and that their welfare is never forgotten in the fund-allocation process.

CRC Asia recognizes that personal income tax reduction, a major component of the tax reform package, can directly benefit children and youth. Families will have more dispensable income which they can allocate to children’s health, education, and other survival and development needs.

CRC Asia also supports the taxation of sugary drinks to promote children’s nutrition and create a healthy society. Resources gained form this should be earmarked to fulfilling children’s right to potable water in schools and other public places.

Download the .pdf file here.

The position paper was in part a result of CRC Asia’s Brownbag Session on Current Tax Reforms and Children’s Rights in the Philippines, held on 4 May 2017 at the World Vision Philippines office, and further studies by the CRC Asia members and Secretariat on the Philippine Tax Reform and Public Budgeting for Children.

In the last three years, CRC Asia has been actively working with experts and children in helping draft the UN CRC General Comment No. 19 on Public Budgeting for the Realization of Children’s Rights. It has also contributed to and reproduced the child-friendly booklet: “Public Budgets: How Governments Should Spend Money for Children’s Rights.”

*Feature image from the Department of Finance