Whenever I think about the essence of public service, Andres Bonifacio's life comes to mind. As we recently commemorated his contributions to our country last November 30, we also celebrated the Filipino people’s deep-seated commitment and love for the country. In times of uncertainty, this trait is expected of public servants to steer the country toward stability and progress.

Amidst various issues challenging us these days, we consistently show that our focus remains on our people. As Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography and as a health reforms crusader, we share a similar spirit of determination in the fight for freedom from sickness, expensive healthcare, and inaccessible services.

After numerous appeals, we recently applauded the addition of dental services to the healthcare benefit packages offered by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth). Prioritizing preventive oral healthcare for Filipinos is essential to universal healthcare access. Also, following the long-overdue repeal of the Single Period of Confinement policy, we also urged PhilHealth to expedite the delivery of their other promises.

PhilHealth must ensure the implementation of its list of commitments such as increasing case rates; expanding benefits packages, especially for the top 10 mortality diseases; supporting the lowering of monthly premium contributions; providing free medicines and assistive devices, such as eyeglasses and wheelchairs; inclusion of dental, visual, emergency and preventive care; as well as updating policies to meet the needs of Filipinos, such as revising their illogical 24-hour confinement rule, which required patients to be hospitalized for at least a day to qualify for insurance coverage.

Furthermore, we also urge the Department of Social Welfare and Development to ensure the unhampered provision of assistance to qualified beneficiaries especially when it comes to medical support. Despite the year-end closing of books due to accounting requirements, I oppose their plan to temporarily halt medical aid via guarantee letters. Agencies tasked to provide social and health services must remember that illness is unpredictably occurring, and life may see no extension for those who are unsure where to turn to for help.

As your Mr. Malasakit, we will remain steadfast in serving Filipinos, especially the poor, to help ensure that government support for them is made accessible to address their needs.

On 26 November, we personally attended the National Movement of Young Legislators’ (NMYL) 4th Quarter National Council Assembly to strengthen partnerships with local leaders.

On 27 November, we were in Bacoor City, Cavite, to aid 1,128 displaced workers in the city with Mayor Strike Revilla and the city councilors and to turn over a total of 12 new utility vehicles which we advocated for to help the LGU.

As an adopted son of both the Province of Pangasinan and Balungao town, we went back there on November 28 for the inauguration of its Super Health Center where we also provided support to health workers present. We also aided 1,000 indigents in Bayambang in partnership with Gov. Monmon Guico and Mayor Niña Jose-Quiambao.

On the same day, we attended the League of Vice Governors of the Philippines (LVGP) 98th National Assembly and participated in the opening of the Bicameral Conference Committee on the General Appropriations Bill as Vice Chairperson of the Senate Finance Committee.

On 29 November, we coordinated with the local government of Biliran, led by Governor Rogelio Espina Jr., Cong. Gerryboy Espina and Naval Mayor Gretchen Espina, to extend assistance to 2,617 impoverished residents. We also visited the town’s Malasakit Center, situated at Biliran Provincial Hospital, where we assisted patients, staff, and watchers. After this, we attended the inauguration of Naval’s Super Health Center and inspected other projects we supported such as the construction of its new auditorium stage.

Following our events, we had a meet-and-greet with the Biliran mayors. We ended our day by spending time with the Liga ng Mga Barangay Year-End Celebration with LNB President Board Member Jessica Dy.

On 30 November, we went to Angono, Rizal, to aid 1,226 students from the towns of Angono and Taytay, together with Governor Nina Ynares, and to attend the town’s new Super Health Center ribbon cutting with Mayor Jeri Calderon. Later that day, we joined the Philippine Association of Thoracic, Cardiac, and Vascular Surgery, Incorporated (PATACSI) Annual Convention Fellowship Night and Induction Ceremony.

Meanwhile, our Malasakit Team continued to extend help to our kababayans in need as we gave immediate aid to 108 fire victims in Iloilo City, and 212 in Pasig City.

We also provided additional assistance to six recovering fire victims in Sto. Niño, Surallah, and Koronadal City in South Cotabato; 78 in Bayawan City and 44 in Dumaguete City, all in Negros Oriental, who all received emergency housing assistance from NHA which we supported to help them buy materials to rebuild their homes.

Last week, a total of 250 impoverished residents in Dimasalang, Masbate also received aid from our team with Mayor Mac Du Naga; 988 in Mauban, Quezon with Mayor Ninong Pastrana; 402 in Bulakan, Bulacan, with Vice Mayor Aika Sanchez, Councilors Benjo Cruz, Marbin Garcia, Aron del Rosario, and Archie San Jose, and SK Federation President Miguel Leonardo; 1,013 in Sarangani, Davao Occidental with Mayor Adelan de Arce; 500 in Kapalong, Davao del Norte with Mayor Tess Timbol; 431 in Tanauan City, Batangas with Vice Mayor Jun Trinidad and City Councilors; 1,000 in San Remigio, Antique with Mayor Mar Mission; 1,000 in Passi City, with Mayor Stephen Palmares, and 500 in Estancia, Iloilo with Mayor Mark Cordero; and 1,000 in Sison, Pangasinan with Mayor Danilo Uy.

Displaced workers were also given temporary employment from the government and additional assistance from my Malasakit Team, where 585 received aid from Cateel, Davao Oriental, with Mayor Emilou Nuñez and 138 in Lala, Lanao del Norte, with Vice Governor Allan J. Lim.

We also supported 325 TESDA scholars in Danao City, Cebu, and 144 CHED scholars from Mindoro State University.

We also attended the groundbreaking of the Super Health Center in Sasmuan, Pampanga, with Mayor Catalina Cabrera; the turn-over of the Super Health Center in Cateel, Davao Oriental, and in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay with Mayor Amy Olegario.

My team also supported the Kalinga State University Sportsfest and LMP Bukidnon Chapter Year-End Assembly held in Cebu City.

I will forever be thankful for the trust that Filipinos gave me to be of service to our people. I will not waste this chance to help our people in any way I can — to the best of my abilities. Bisyo ko ang magserbisyo at naniniwala ako na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo sa Diyos.