Prioritizing accessible healthcare

As Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, I continue to push for laws, programs and initiatives so that Filipinos can hopefully have access to quality healthcare services. Let us be reminded that health is wealth and healthcare is a fundamental right of every citizen.

In the public hearing we conducted on 16 January, we discussed the urgent need to bridge the health gaps faced by Filipinos in various parts of the country.

A key part of the hearing was my call to the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to enhance its services by increasing coverage to reduce out-of-pocket expenses for patients significantly in accordance with our laws.

In addition, we also asked the state health insurer to boost public awareness of their Konsulta Package as well as other programs aligned with the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law to provide equitable access to quality and affordable healthcare for all especially since every Filipino is considered a member of PhilHealth.

With this, one suggestion we raised is providing members with simple yet durable and easily accessible PhilHealth cards that they can carry and use without hesitation so that they will be informed and assured that they can get the benefits they deserve.

As a health reform crusader, it is also vital to bring health services down to the communities which is why we acknowledge the pivotal role of Super Health Centers in realizing this goal.

I advocated for the establishment of more Super Health Centers in strategic locations nationwide to focus on primary care, consultation, and early disease detection. In collaboration with fellow lawmakers, the DOH, and local government units, over 600 Super Health Centers nationwide have been funded with about 100 more this year.

We asked PhilHealth to expedite the accreditation of Super Health Centers and other community health facilities so that primary medical services can be made more accessible and affordable.

In addition to these initiatives, we acknowledge that PhilHealth has also made significant progress in expanding its coverage.

For one, the state health insurer’s benefits now cover outpatient emergency services. This is something we have advocated for the past year to scrap the 24-hour confinement policy for outpatients, where patients must be confined before they can avail of PhilHealth coverage.

This year, let us altogether aim for better and improved health services within reach of every Filipino nationwide and make sure that no one will be left behind in our journey toward a healthier, more equitable future for all.

Meanwhile, our mission to serve those most in need continues. On 13 January, we joined in Manila City our Iglesia ni Cristo brothers and sisters in their nationwide Rally for Peace. I support the call for peace and unity in our country so that we can buckle down to work and focus on serving the Filipino people.

On 17 January, we personally provided further aid to 48 fire victims in Pasay City. Through our support, they also benefitted from the Emergency Housing Assistance Program of the government so they could buy materials to rebuild their homes.

On 18 January, we went to Sampaloc, Manila to personally aid 327 fire victims from Barangay 458 and 67 fire victims in Brgy. 459.

Furthermore, we also attended the Ati-Atihan Festival that day with Aklan Gov. Joen Miraflores, Kalibo Mayor Juris Sucro and other officials. We also visited the Malasakit Center in Dr. Rafael Tumbokon Memorial Hospital and inspected the new Super Health Center in Kalibo where we provided support such as lugaw and food packs to patients, hospital staff, barangay health workers and tanods.

Yesterday, 19 January, we joined the inauguration of the Super Health Center in Moalboal, Cebu and also visited the Malasakit Center at Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City.

Following these events, we headed to Cebu City Sports Complex where we joined the Sinulog Festival 2025.

Meanwhile, our Malasakit Team extended immediate support to 24 fire victims in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.

They also gave assistance to recovering fire victims, specifically 39 of them in Davao City; 14 in Lupon, five in Manay, both in Davao Oriental; and 16 in Mabini, Davao de Oro who also received emergency housing assistance from the government.

We also assisted more than 2,000 beneficiaries from various municipalities in Bohol, such as Trinidad, San Miguel, Sagbayan, Getafe, Talibon, Bien Unido, Tubigon, Loon, Corella, Cortes, Baclayon, and Dauis, and Tagbilaran City.

Furthermore, a total of 47 displaced workers were given additional support aside from the temporary employment we advocated for in Majayjay, Laguna with Vice Mayor Juan Ariela Arganosa, Jr.

As Chair of the Senate Committee on Youth, we supported 217 CHED scholars in Rizal province; 900 TESDA scholars in Iriga City, Camarines Sur; and 1,000 TESDA scholars in Legazpi City, Albay.

As your Mr. Malasakit, I will continue my advocacy of bringing services closer to those in need to the best of my ability. Bisyo ko ang magserbisyo at naniniwala ako na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo sa Diyos.