MANILA - Sen. Sonny Angara on Tuesday expressed concerns over the proposed per-volume tax on all sugar-sweetened beverages under the tax reform package being pushed by the administration, noting that it may not urge Filipinos to pick healthier options.

Angara, chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, said the current form of the bill pending before the chamber proposes a tax of P10 per liter for both milk and soft drinks.

For the lawmaker, this may not be sound policy as it would impose the same tax rate on soft drinks, a high-sugar drink linked to diseases, and milk, which is essential for children's growth.

Angara also noted that milk only has 1 teaspoon of added sugar per 200 milligrams, but soda has 10 teaspoons per 200 milligrams.

"I don't think they should be treated the same, because if you do that, you won't be changing the habits of people. They'll be drinking the same unhealthy drinks that they've been drinking because the price is the same, and maybe that has a better distribution network all over the country. So it's cheaper, it's more available," he told ANC's Headstart.

"Maybe it should be a more nuanced scale, it's okay to tax it but maybe not treat them the same. So that's one concern," he said.