More senators question 'book blockade'

MANILA, Philippines – Senators questioned yesterday the Bureau of Customs’ (BOC) “book blockade,’’ saying it could do more harm than good even if it intends to raise more revenues. 

Senators Edgardo Angara, Manuel Roxas II and Richard Gordon joined Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago in questioning the BOC’s move to impose taxes on imported books.

They said the government must promote reading and make it a part of every Filipino’s lifestyle rather than make books more inaccessible.

Angara said reading and publishing must flourish in the country.

“Books play an integral part in a country’s intellectual, technical and cultural development. They are the most effective and economical tools for achieving educational growth, imparting information and recording, preserving, and disseminating the nation’s cultural heritage. Unfortunately, only few of the books in our libraries and bookstores are local publications,” Angara said.

The Philippines has the lowest output of book titles compared to neighbors in Southeast Asia. Statistics released by the Philippine National Library showed that the number of books published since 2000 averages 5,326.5 a year.

Roxas asked Finance Secretary Margarito Teves to explain the new BOC policy, which has sparked complaints from book importers and sellers.

One percent duty is being collected for educational, technical, scientific, historical and cultural books and five percent for books/materials which are non-educational and intended for sale, barter or hire.

Roxas said Teves should shed light on the implementation of Department of Finance Order No. 17-09 dated March 24, 2009 which also clarified guidelines on duty-free importation of books allowed under existing laws and international agreements.

“We have received reports that the new Department Order has imposed a more stringent policy on importing books in our country, therefore restricting and discouraging booksellers and importers.”

Roxas also sent a letter to National Book Development Board chairman Dennis Gonzalez and requested the agency’s position on the implementation of the DOF order.

Gordon said the imposition of taxes on imported books would hinder the flow of knowledge and ideas by making these educational materials less accessible to the people.

The Philippines is a signatory to the 1950 Florence Agreement, a United Nations treaty that mandates the tax-free importation of books to facilitate the free flow of educational, scientific, and cultural materials.