Analysts Urge Stronger Funding and Reforms for Marcos’ Hunger and Health Initiatives

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s efforts to combat hunger and enhance healthcare access could become key achievements of his administration, but experts emphasize that their success hinges on effective implementation, sustainable financing, and institutional reforms. Joy G. Aceron, convenor-director of the transparency group G-Watch, highlighted persistent challenges in nutrition and healthcare access that the government must address before these programs can be considered a lasting legacy. She noted that despite government initiatives such as the YAKAP program, PhilHealth coverage, and zero-balance billing, out-of-pocket healthcare expenses remain high and stunting among children has increased.

In a recent video message, President Marcos reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring that Filipinos have sufficient food and healthcare access. He pointed to programs distributing rice six times annually, free school feeding initiatives, and free medical consultations as key components of this strategy. Additionally, he underscored efforts to reduce healthcare costs through zero-balance billing in Department of Health wards and the expansion of value-added tax exemptions on medicines.

The sustainability of these programs, however, depends heavily on the government’s capacity to secure adequate funding while managing competing budget priorities. Aceron cautioned that despite significant investments in nutrition, the rise in stunting suggests implementation weaknesses that could lead to inefficient use of public funds. She stressed the need for transparency, public participation, and accountability mechanisms to evaluate the effectiveness of these initiatives.

Health reform advocate Anthony “Tony” C. Leachon described the programs as commendable but fragmented and short-term. He argued that for healthcare and hunger reduction to become defining elements of the President’s legacy, reforms must be universal, comprehensive, and supported by sustainable legislation and sufficient funding. Leachon warned that piecemeal programs, though beneficial, are inadequate to address systemic issues such as malnutrition, limited healthcare access, and the growing burden of noncommunicable diseases.

Leachon proposed expanding sin taxes as a viable source of sustainable healthcare funding, provided that revenues are transparently allocated to health programs, preventive care, and PhilHealth. He cited evidence from previous reforms showing that higher sin taxes reduce consumption, particularly among vulnerable groups like youth and low-income populations. He also described PhilHealth as chronically underfunded and called on Congress and the administration to ensure that increased revenues support health initiatives and the expansion of PhilHealth case rates.

In his fifth State of the Nation Address, President Marcos called for immediate tax relief measures to help Filipino workers manage rising living costs. Following this, the Department of Finance proposed the Promoting Growth, Revenue and Equity towards Socioeconomic Sustainability bill, which aims to raise the personal income tax exemption threshold and exempt micro and small enterprises from the minimum corporate income tax. The bill is expected to result in a net fiscal gain by expanding sin and wealth taxes and updating motor vehicle road user taxes, including higher levies on sugar-sweetened beverages, alcoholic drinks, and vaping products.

Ultimately, the Marcos administration faces the challenge of ensuring that its hunger and healthcare programs deliver measurable improvements and remain sustainable through strengthened institutions and reliable funding beyond the current term. Analysts emphasize that without addressing structural gaps and securing long-term resources, these initiatives risk falling short of their transformative potential.