Pro-Filipino push continues in 20th Congress

As we are about to embark on the 20th Congress, we do so with a firm commitment to continue pushing for what we have started in uplifting the lives of every Filipino one step at a time, particularly in healthcare.

In the 19th Congress, together with our fellow lawmakers, we worked hard to make healthcare more accessible to Filipinos. We championed key critical reforms under the Universal Health Care (UHC) law that aim to make quality healthcare for all. Our crusade is not over yet.

Some key accomplishments include the ongoing 50 percent increase in PhilHealth benefit packages and the expanded benefits for the top 10 mortality rate cases, such as heart diseases, diabetes, respiratory illnesses, and hypertensive diseases. We also successfully advocated for the repeal of outdated, illogical, and anti-poor regulations like the Single Period of Confinement Policy, 24-hour confinement policy and the 45-day benefit limit. Poor Filipino patients can greatly benefit from these reforms.

We also expressed our support for the expanded kidney transplant benefit package which has been increased from P600,000 to P2.1 million. Dialysis support has also been raised to nearly P1 million per patient, and now includes essential laboratory tests and maintenance medicines. Just recently, PhilHealth expanded its benefit package to treat heart attacks, with some treatments increasing coverage to P524,000 from P30,300 — an increase of 1,600 percent.

As your senator, I am determined to push forward more health initiatives in the 20th Congress. In fact, your Senator Kuya Bong Go has already prepared at least 20 priority bills that I intend to file at the start of the 20th Congress.

These bills aim to legislate crucial measures, namely: institutionalizing PhilHealth Cards which can provide peace of mind to poor Filipinos that they are guaranteed medical benefits; establishing Mental Health Offices in state universities and colleges; amendment of Republic Act 9173 or the Philippine Nursing Act of 2002; modernizing the legal framework governing the practice of Medical Technologists in the country; institutionalizing the Medical Assistance for Indigent Patients Program to eliminate out-of-pocket expenditures poor patients; establishment of the Philippine Geriatric Center or dedicated senior citizens’ hospital; the Magna Carta for Barangay Health Workers to grant BHWs suitable compensation and benefits packages; and institutionalizing the OFW Hospital.

For our sports sector, we will push for the following legislative measures: regionalization of the National Academy of Sports; expanded benefits for para-athletes so that their incentives are at par with other Filipino athletes; and the institutionalization of the Philippine National Games.

We will also file the Expanded Tertiary Education Subsidy Bill so that, if enacted, more students can avail of free higher education, as well as a bill that seeks to provide monthly allowances for teachers.

We will work hard for the passage of other priority bills with the following objectives: establish the Department of Disaster Resilience to streamline functions for disaster preparedness; increase the daily minimum wage of workers in the private sector by P100 across the board; create an Indigent Jobseekers Assistance Law to provide waived or discounted fees; legislate the Magna Carta for Barangays to grant barangay officials the same benefits and privileges as regular government employees; institutionalize rural employment assistance to offer temporary employment; waive fees for delayed birth registration for indigents; and provide rental housing subsidy for informal settlers.

I look forward to working with my fellow members of the 20th Congress, as well as stakeholders from various sectors, so that we can bring government services closer to the people. Let us stay grounded in reality, but never lose sight of our goal to build a stronger country.

Meanwhile, on 24 June, we attended the National Fire Training Institute (NFTI) Fire Officer Basic Course (FOBC) 2025-36 Class “Pagsilak” Graduating Ceremony with F/SSupt. Christine Doctor Cula in Calamba City, Laguna.

On 26 June, we joined the Batangas Provincial Medical Complex Inauguration in Tuy, Batangas with Governor Dodo Mandanas. After which, we went to Bacoor City, Cavite for the inauguration of its Super Health Center with Congresswoman Lani Revilla, Mayor Strike Revilla and Vice Mayor Rowena Mediola.

Last 27 June, we were in Davao City for the Public Safety Officers Advance Course (PSOAC) “Lex Aegis” Class of 2024-32 graduation with 58 graduates.

We also attended the inaugural ceremony of newly elected local government officials, including Vice Mayor-elect Sebastian Duterte and councilors from 1st, 2nd and 3rd districts of Davao City. The event was likewise witnessed by Vice President Inday Sara Duterte, Ms. Elizabeth Zimmerman Duterte, Congressman-elect Omar Duterte and Councilor-elect Rigo Duterte.

On 28 June, we personally provided help to 58 fire victims in Barangay Baclaran, Parañaque City with Barangay Captain Jun Zaide.

To further extend our help to the grassroots level, our Malasakit Team also immediately aided 66 fire victims in Cebu City and 36 in Sampaloc, Manila.

Our Malasakit Team also provided additional assistance to two whirlwind victims in Surallah and Lake Sebu, South Cotabato, and 57 in Kabacan and Makilala, North Cotabato. These beneficiaries also received aid from the national government to rebuild and recover.

We also sent our Malasakit Team to witness the inauguration of a Super Health Center in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro with Mayor Marilou Morillo; the League of the Municipalities of the Philippines Bohol Chapter Term-End Assessment in Parañaque City with Mayor Ian Mendez; and the Tulong Dunong Program distribution and orientation to 58 scholars at STI College-Cainta Campus.

As your Mr. Malasakit, I will never get tired of pushing for more legislations that, if passed into laws, the Filipino people can truly benefit from. Bisyo ko ang magserbisyo at naniniwala ako na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo sa Diyos.