14/07/2026
𝗙𝗗𝗖, 𝗔𝗛𝗙 𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗡 𝗔𝗚𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗦𝗧 𝗣𝗛 𝗗𝗘𝗕𝗧 𝗗𝗘𝗣𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗬 𝗔𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗗 𝗢𝗙 𝗦𝗢𝗡𝗔
QUEZON CITY - The Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC) and AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Philippines today sounded the alarm on the country's growing debt burden, warning that excessive debt servicing continues to crowd out funding for essential public services such as health, education, and social protection. The call was made during the Freedom from Debt Kapihan, held ahead of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s upcoming State of the Nation Address (SONA).
FDC highlighted how debt payments now consume a significant portion of the national budget, limiting the government's capacity to respond to the needs of ordinary Filipinos.
"Parang naadik na ang gobyerno sa pangungutang. Borrowing has become a lazy, convenient way to source funds. Ang kaso lang, mangungutang tayo para sa mga proyekto, kukurakutin ng ilang opisyal, at taumbayan ang magbabayad para sa pondong nauwi sa wala," said Rovik Obanil, Secretary General of the Freedom from Debt Coalition.
"What's unfortunate is: Filipinos are paying twice. Through their taxes, then through poor healthcare and social services. Sa dulo, taumbayan pa rin talaga ang talung-talo," he added.
FDC further warned that the country's current borrowing trajectory risks deepening fiscal pressures and could eventually lead to a debt crisis if left unchecked, noting that the Philippines' outstanding debt reached a record ₱18.55 trillion as of May 2026.
For AHF Philippines, the issue goes beyond fiscal management and directly affects a country's ability to invest in the well-being of its people.
"Sa kasalukuyang sistema, umaagos palabas ang yaman ng mga developing countries, habang milyun-milyong mamamayan ang humaharap sa kakulangan ng pondo para sa public services," said Dr. Ryan C. Guinaran, Country Program Manager of AHF Philippines.
"Nananawagan ang AHF para sa isang sistemang pinansyal na patas, malinaw, at may klarong pananagutan — kung saan hindi naco-compromise ang health at social services ng mga Pilipino," he added.
The Freedom from Debt campaign argues that the current global debt architecture disproportionately disadvantages developing countries by forcing them to allocate substantial resources to debt payments instead of investing in public services, economic development, and social protection. The campaign calls for fairer global financing rules, greater accountability from lenders and borrowers, and reforms that prioritize people over debt repayments.
Joining FDC and AHF in the discussion were Hon. Kelly Denn Tomas, Municipal Councilor of Atok, Benguet; Aldrin Bula, National Co-Convener of PANTAY Inc.; Hon. Chesca Persia, Barangay Councilor of Dolores, Rizal Province, and Crisis Response Committee Chairperson of the LakasBayi Feminist Leadership Network; and John Paul Caesar Delos Trinos, Health Economist and Professorial Lecturer. Together, they highlighted how the country's growing debt burden affects local governance, public health, social services, women's rights, and marginalized communities across the Philippines.
