MANILA, Philippines — The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) supports the proposal to further increase the excise tax imposed on tobacco and alcohol products to fund the full implementation of the Universal Health Care (UHC) program. “NEDA is supportive (of this proposal),”Socioeconomic Planning Secretary and NEDA chief Ernesto Pernia told reporters yesterday. “The Universal Health Care program needs funding and I think sin taxes are good sources of revenue for the funding requirements,” he said. “Sin taxes haven’t been a major contributory factor to inflation,” he said, noting the current inflationary pressures are still caused by the rise in food prices. President Duterte signed the UHC program into law last February to promote good health among Filipinos and improve living standards nationwide.

Source: Philippine Star May 22, 2019 16:00 UTC