Milestones marked via service, compassion

As a crusader for health reforms and chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, my mission is to push for programs that provide adequate, sustainable, and accessible health services to all. For the past year, we reached milestones that hopefully will lead to a healthier citizenry.

Most significant among these are the commitments made by the PhilHealth that we fought for which they have started to implement after our numerous appeals. Specified in PhilHealth’s commitment letter are the following: a substantial increase in the benefit packages for the top ten mortality diseases; increase in case rates by up to 50 percent across-the-board; expansion of benefit packages, such as dental benefits, outpatient drug benefits, mental health benefit, optometric services, and the likes; scrapping of anti-poor policies, such as the 24-hour confinement rule which prevents the coverage of emergency outpatient services for patients not needing facility admission; among others.

Furthermore, PhilHealth also committed to the strict implementation of the "no co-payment policy" as provided for in Republic Act 11233; expansion of PhilHealth-accredited facilities; hastening of the accreditation of primary care facilities of the government, such as the Super Health Centers and rural health units to expand the reach of their Konsulta package; ensuring the availability of PhilHealth representatives in Malasakit Centers who shall assist in the availment of benefits, in accordance with RA11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act; intensifying the information campaign on PhilHealth benefit packages; and submission of a detailed roadmap to the Senate Committee on Health and Demography.

These commitments being implemented by PhilHealth are just part of our efforts to make sure that Filipinos get the health benefits they deserve. While we welcome their recent actions, such as the scrapping of the single period of confinement policy, increases in case rates, and expanded benefits, we will not stop in our crusade to ensure that they will deliver on their promises to protect the lives of Filipinos.

Despite the non-provision of budget subsidy to PhilHealth this year which we objected to but was approved, we call on PhilHealth to maximize their available unutilized excess funds to deliver on these commitments to benefit every Filipino who is a member of PhilHealth. After all, PhilHealth funds must be used for Health!

Together, let us aim for better healthcare services for all, especially for the poor and financially incapacitated Filipinos. Let us continue bringing the government closer to those in need of our service and "malasakit."

On 6 January, we continued our work by attending the inauguration of the Super Health Center in Plaridel, Bulacan with Mayor Jocell Vistan where we were honored as an adopted son of the town. We also aided 1,000 indigent residents from various sectors, including solo parents, persons with disabilities, and senior citizens. They also received financial support from the local government through our collaboration.

On 7 January, I joined my fellow "kuya at ate" in The Fraternal Order of Eagles Philippine Eagles Oath-Taking Ceremony in Pasay City as a guest of honor and member of the organization. I also led the oath-taking ceremony of the re-elected National President Ronald delos Santos.

On 9 January, we joined in the turnover of the Super Health Center in Midsayap, North Cotabato with Mayor Rolly Sacdalan. In coordination with the local government of Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat, led by Mayor Charles Ploteña, we also gave financial support and other forms of aid to 300 barangay officials and functionaries.

On 11 January, we went to Surigao City to aid 714 indigents in partnership with the city’s local government led by Mayor Pablo Dumlao, and visited the Super Health Center in Brgy. Cagniog.

After this, as Senate chairperson of the Committee on Health, I attended the Philippine Nurses Association - Caraga Region Nurses Conference 2025 with Regional Governor Megeve Sumampong.

We also joined the turnover ceremony of the Road Concreting Project and the new Covered Court, both in Km. 3, Purok 9, Barangay Baan in Butuan City together with the Liga ng mga Barangay President Gemma Tabada.

Yesterday, 12 January, we went to Parañaque City to support the BF Parañaque TODA General Assembly with Councilor Raffy dela Peña.

Meanwhile, our Malasakit Team still continues its unwavering dedication to helping communities as we aided seven fire victims in Davao City.

As Senate Youth Committee chairperson, we also supported 88 CHED scholars of Our Lady of Fatima University in Antipolo City, 339 in Metro Manila, and 387 in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte. Moreover, we also assisted 44 TESDA scholars at Prime Brilliant Minds Academy Inc. in Dagupan City.

Rest assured that for the upcoming months and years, we will do what we can to the best of our ability to maintain, if not, exceed what we have accomplished as we always strive for better delivery of services for the Filipino people. Bisyo ko po ang magserbisyo at naniniwala ako na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo sa Diyos.