Secretary Francisco T. Duque III issued the following statement in response to the President’s approval of higher tobacco, alcohol excise taxes.

“We are happy with the support President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has given to our proposal to increase excise taxes to at least PHP 60 from the current PHP 35 per pack of cigarettes and an increase of at least PHP 40 per liter for fermented liquors and distilled spirits.

This new proposed measures will help build a healthier society through added funding for the Universal Health Care (UHC). More importantly, it will also encourage healthier lifestyle for Filipinos and lower the number of poor lifestyle-related diseases, through reduced consumption of alcohol and cigarettes.

Together with the Department of Finance (DOF), we thank the President for making public health part of his priority agenda. We also thank our colleagues at the Senate and House of Representatives for their efforts in lobbying for policies that will put primacy to public health. We look forward to coordinating with relevant stakeholders, until a reconciled version of the bills is finally ratified.

The DOH is committed in delivering the promise of UHC and reforming our healthcare system that will give real value for every Filipino”