By Alexandria Grace C. Magno, ReporterD&L INDUSTRIES, INC. posted an 8% increase in first-half net income to P1.5 billion, supported by improving margins in its high-margin specialty products and a recovery in its food ingredients business despite persistent macroeconomic headwinds. Second-quarter net income rose 10% to P786 million, while margins for the company’s high-margin specialty products (HMSP) improved by 2.1 percentage points during the first half. “The excise tax isn’t new. The DoF has proposed higher excise taxes on sweetened beverages, electronic cigarettes, flexible plastic products, luxury vehicles, and private aircraft. Under the proposal, sando bags, labo bags, and sachets would be subject to an excise tax of P150 per kilogram, subject to a 5% annual indexation.