I’ve was reading Jayvee’s blog when I stumbled upon this post. Apparently, Finance Usec Espele Sales believes, and I quote, “novels and reading books are non-educational”. Madame Undersecretary… are you serious? I am simply amazed that someone from the government would issue a statement like this. I’ve been an avid reader of novels and books since I was in High School and I’d like to think that reading all of those books have made me a better writer, person, and professional.
Sales and the BOC agreed that “only books or raw materials to be used in book publishing” are to be exempt from taxes and duties.
Critics said their interpretation has violated the 1950 Florence Agreement on the Importation of Educational, Scientific and Cultural Materials, of which the Philippines was a signatory in 1952.
The treaty has provided for duty-free importation of books to guarantee the free flow of “educational, scientific, and cultural materials” between countries and declared that imported books should be duty-free.
But Sales reportedly brushed off this argument, saying novels and reading books are “not educational.”
I cannot even begin to imagine the international repercussions this would have if this were to be leaked into CNN or something. Imagine – we are the country with a government that believes that novels and reading books are not educational. Man! That’s just ridiculous.
I’m really sorry if this is a bit overboard but this is just unacceptable. 