Tobacco giant wants to ship more PHL products

Having captured 92 percent of the Philippine cigarette market, Philip Morris Fortune Tobacco Inc. (PMFTC) on Monday bared plans to maximize the capacity of its Batangas plant by exporting more of the company’s products. “The company believes it has satisfied the local demand. It is now focusing on increasing the export of excess production to other affiliates in the world," said PMFTC official for public affairs and contributions Amy Eisma on the sidelines of the 5th Bright Leaf Awards in Pasay City. PMFTC spokesperson Elmer Mesina explained that the company has identified new sites for tobacco expansion in Visayas and Mindanao “to support the company thrust of expanding exports to other affiliates." It is also testing soil compatibility and weather conditions in Visayas and Mindanao, PMFTC said. The company is now exporting raw tobacco to South Korea and Malaysia. PMFTC also said cigarette shipments to Thailand have remained steady despite a pending case filed by the Philippine government before the World Trade Organization regarding Bangkok’s policy on imported cigarette taxes. Meanwhile, anti-smoking advocates have called for an increase in cigarette tax and make smoking less affordable for children and teenagers. Smoking is a P400-billion a year industry in the Philippines and ends up worsening poverty, according to government statistics. — PE/VS, GMA News