SEN. Mark Villar has filed a resolution calling for an inquiry into the growing prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the Philippines, particularly among the youth. In filing Senate Resolution 313, Villar cited data from the Department of Health (DOH) indicating that children as young as nine years old are suffering from the acute kidney disease. The DOH considers CKD as one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the country. Health experts have attributed the rise in cases to several factors, including poor diet, high salt and sugar consumption, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and limited access to early screening and preventive care. Villar warned that the increasing consumption of ultra-processed foods and shifts in dietary patterns may be contributing to the disease’s earlier onset. He said that while existing policies and programs aim to address CKD, significant gaps remain in prevention, early detection, and patient support. He emphasized the need to review current government interventions — from public awareness campaigns to treatment assistance programs — to determine whether they are sufficient and responsive to emerging trends. CKD is a long-term condition characterized by the gradual loss of kidney function. In advanced stages, patients require dialysis or kidney transplantation, both of which pose significant financial and emotional burdens on families. Treatment costs can run into hundreds of thousands of pesos annually, making sustained government support crucial. Villar wants to identify legislative measures that would strengthen prevention strategies, expand access to early screening especially among high-risk groups, improve nutrition policies, and enhance financial assistance for patients undergoing dialysis and other treatments. “We would like the government to have more timely solutions for CKD. We would like to be more proactive in preventing and detecting the disease while fully supporting those who are undergoing treatments,” he said.