Universal Health Care (UHC) for 103 million Filipinos remains out of reach as shortfalls in cigarette excise tax collections ballooned to P87 billion over the past three years, half of which, or P43.5 billion, should have gone to PhilHealth and the Department of Health (DOH).
BenCyrus Ellorin, chairperson of Pinoy Aksyon for Governance and the Environment, asked the government to show authority and political will in curbing the illegal tobacco trade, which he said is draining revenues that fund health and social programs.
“Instead of legislating more taxes, the government should crack down hard on the flood of illegal cigarettes by enforcing laws through police, customs, and other authorities,” he said.
“Every untaxed cigarette stick strips away health benefits meant for Filipinos. P40 billion can already buy about four million hospital beds that our public hospitals badly need,” said Ellorin.
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is targeting P329 billion in excise tax collections in 2025, with tobacco accounting for P150 billion, or 45 percent.
Of this, P75 billion is earmarked for public health. Tobacco remains the single biggest contributor to excise revenues.
