Our newly elected lawmakers are now in the position to do what is right for public health. As the 20th Congress assembles, its members carry more than the hopes of their constituents. Our senators and representatives hold the power to shape a future where health is not a privilege but a right for every Filipino. With fresh mandates and renewed commitments, they have the opportunity before them to pass pro-health, life-saving policies that put people first. The first order of

MANILA, Philippines — Gian, a third-year high school student, has never had to worry about how to get alcohol after class. Gian studies at a public high school in Santa Rosa, Laguna, where there is no shortage of convenience stores and sari-sari stores selling colorful alcopops or pocket-sized “kiddie packs” of cigarettes. Often, they’re the same stores that sell them pens and snacks. “If I want to drink alcohol after school like the other kids my age do, there are many ways

“Basta drink moderately.” “Yosi break lang.” “Mas safe naman ang vape.” These sound like everyday phrases baked into our culture. But have you ever paused to ponder what their origins were? Today, there is an epidemic of alcohol, vape and tobacco use among our youth, and how we talk about these products is key to understanding the problem this represents. When one in eight Filipino youth is already using tobacco, and alcohol brands spend billions seemingly targeting younger c

Fake news ang “drink responsibly.” Isa lamang ito sa mga diskarte ng alcohol industry upang ilihis ang atensyon mula sa tunay na problema— ang alak mismo. Sino nga ba ang mga tunay na may pananagutan sa malawak na pinsala at pahamak na dulot ng alak sa ating kalusugan at ekonomiya? At ano ang mga malimit nilang palusot? Fake News #1: “Drink responsibly” Palusot ito ng industriya para ipasa ang sisi sa konsyumer. Pero ayon sa World Health Organization (WHO), kahit kakaunti o m

CEBU, Philippines — For too many Filipino women, danger isn’t in dark alleys or unfamiliar streets. It’s inside their homes, at the hands of the people they love. In this year’s Women’s Month, we are reminded that gender equality is not just about representation or economic opportunity—it is also about ensuring that women can live free from harm. One of the most insidious threats to women’s safety today is something we see in every sari-sari store, every convenience store, an

By Francis Allan L. Angelo of Daily Guardian The Philippines loses an estimated PHP 1.1 trillion annually due to the economic and health costs of alcohol, tobacco, and vape consumption, according to new research from policy think tank Action for Economic Reforms (AER). AER revealed that indirect costs, such as lost productivity from illnesses and premature deaths, accounted for PHP 703.5 billion in 2021. Combined with direct healthcare expenses, the total economic burden of a

Gabriela Baron of Daily Tribune The overall cost of alcohol and tobacco consumption in the Philippines has ballooned to a staggering P1.1 trillion per year, according to new research from policy think tank Action for Economic Reforms (AER). According to AER projections, the indirect costs of tobacco and alcohol consumption—including lost productivity due to illness and premature death—amounted to P703.5 billion in 2021. When combined with direct healthcare expenses, the estim

By THE PHILIPPINE BUSINESS AND NEWS The overall cost of alcohol and tobacco consumption in the Philippines has ballooned to a staggering ₱1.1 trillion per year, new research from policy think tank Action for Economic Reforms (AER) found, which advocates say necessitates increased health tax on these harmful products. According to its news release, AER projected the indirect costs borne out of tobacco and alcohol consumption—including lost productivity due to illness and prema

With the holidays approaching, festive gatherings and celebrations are ramping up, bringing family, friends, and colleagues together. Alcohol often flows freely at these events, but it’s worth taking a moment to think more carefully about the role drinking plays in these settings. While less than half of Filipinos drink regularly, our culture has normalized and glamorized alcohol, creating an environment that often encourages harmful behavior. As a result, we see high rates o