DBM: Sin tax drop won't affect UHC budget this year

The decline in excise tax collections this year from 'sin' products like tobacco and alcohol will not affect the Universal Health Care (UHC) budget for 2021, but may impact it by 2022, according to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III said the department is coordinating with economic managers to adjust the UHC implementation budget due to decreased sin tax collections during the pandemic.

Senator Richard Gordon noted that excise tax collection on alcohol, heated tobacco, and vapor products dropped to P63.1 billion from January to May 2020 compared to P102.7 billion in the same period last year.