Manila: A coalition of health advocates has called on President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to declare September as Alcohol Harms Awareness Month, emphasizing the need for additional legislation and public awareness efforts to address the health and societal impacts of alcohol consumption. The Sin Tax Coalition, a group composed of medical societies and civil society organizations, made this appeal during a media forum on Thursday.
According to Philippines News Agency, raising awareness about the harmful effects of alcohol and enforcing existing laws, such as the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013, are critical in reducing alcohol-related incidents. Dinna Louise Dayao of the Move as One Coalition stressed the importance of random breath tests to prevent road fatalities linked to drunk driving. The Global Burden of Disease Study highlights that three of the ten daily road crash deaths in the Philippines are attributable to alcohol consumption.
The coalition also supports the proposal of AnaKalusugan Party-list Rep. Ray Reyes to designate September as Alcohol Awareness Month and to increase alcohol taxes, while pushing for funding to enforce breathalyzer use for road safety.