Recto: Program will be funded by soda taxes

By Paulo Loreto Lim

The Senate passed SB 1537, or the Healthy Nanay and Bulilit Act, also referred to as the “First 1,000 Days Bill,” by an 18-0 vote yesterday.

The bill, filed by Senator Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, seeks to ensure children are provided with proper nutrition in their first 1,000 days, starting at conception.

According to a release by from the Philippine Senate, “A human being’s first 1,000 days – the period covering the nine months of a mother’s pregnancy and a child’s first two years – is the critical window, particularly in preventing child stunting and wasting.”

Senator Ralph Recto noted in his backing of the bill, P10 billion of the total P17 billion budget has already been funded through excise taxes on soda.

He noted, an additional P6 to P7 billion will be needed for the first year of implementation, which he said could be covered through six to seven weeks of soda tax collections.

The senator went on to list the benefits the entitlements would be funding, including vaccinations, vitamins, deworming procedures, among other items.

“Underspending by the government leads to undernutrition of children,” he added.

Recto went on to characterize the policy as “fiscally responsible.”

The bill now heads to a deliberation between the two chambers of Congress before a final bill is sent to President Rodrigo Duterte./PLL, WDJ