With a strong background in public service and healthcare, Dr. Mildred Vitangcol, the first nominee of H.E.L.P Pilipinas Partylist, outlined her legislative agenda to ensure that every child has access to quality education.
Dr. Vitangcol discussed her commitment to improving education, especially for children in remote areas of the Philippines, highlighting the struggles of students who must travel long distances just to attend school.
"Nakikita ko po talaga dahil isa sa mga ginagawa namin ang paglalagay ng classrooms sa mga liblib na lugar sa bansa. Biro mo, bumibiyahe sila ng 10 kilometer, 30 kilometers para mag-aral. Una, kulang-kulang sila sa pamasahe, wala pang pagkain," she shared.
To address this issue, she advocates for building more classrooms in underserved areas and ensuring that teachers are assigned to these schools.
“Ang ginagawa po namin, tumutulong kami sa paggawa ng mga classrooms doon sa area na kung saan ay isang komunidad maraming mga estudyante pero walang eskwelahan. So kung may eskwelahan naman, kulang din sa classrooms,” she said.
Addressing nutritional needs in schools and communities
Dr. Vitangcol also underscored the need to provide clean drinking water to schools and communities to prevent health issues caused by unsafe water sources.
“Hindi lang po eskwelahan, pati po ang patubig. May mga eskwelahan na kulang sa water supply. Hindi lang po eskwelahan ang nagiging benepisyaryo ng ating patubig kung hindi pati na po ang buong komunidad. Minsan, ang tubig ay galing sa bundok at wala silang facility para maibaba ang tubig,” she stressed.
“So maglagay po tayo ng water system at saka yung distribution of water supply sa mga bahay-bahay para maiwasan na rin po yung magkakasakit yung mga bata dahil nga sa hindi malinis na tubig,” said Vitangcol.
Aside from education, Dr. Vitangcol also raised concerns about the alarming issue of teenage pregnancy, pointing out that young mothers often lack access to prenatal consultations, medicines, and proper nutrition.
“We have a critical problem ngayon ng mga kabataan dahil sa teenage pregnancy. Marami pong mga kabataan na nabubuntis at the same time, nabubuntis na sila wala pa silang access sa pagpapakonsulta, wala pa silang access sa mga medisina, sa mga vitamins, at sa mga pagkain,” she emphasized.
She highlighted the importance of early childhood nutrition programs like the First 1000 Days of Life initiative but noted delays in its implementation due to insufficient funding.
She believes the government must strengthen its support to ensure all children receive proper nutrition.
Providing livelihood opportunities for families
Dr. Vitangcol believes that poverty is a major barrier to education, forcing many children to drop out of school to help support their families.
To counter this, H.E.L.P Pilipinas Partylist, along with her, advocates for livelihood programs that empower parents, especially farmers and fisherfolk, ensuring they earn enough to keep their children in school.
"Unang-una, marami tayong natural resources sa Pilipinas. Meron tayong malawak na pwedeng taniman at maraming isla, marami tayong pwedeng pangisdaan. Ang problema ay walang kapasidad po ang mga farmers natin dahil kulang sila sa suporta," she explained.
Her proposed solutions include financial aid, modern farming equipment, and fair market opportunities for farmers to improve their income and, ultimately, their children's access to education.
Overcoming healthcare deficiencies in remote areas
With her experience as a medical practitioner, Dr. Vitangcol highlighted the lack of adequate healthcare services, especially in geographically isolated areas.
"Sa experience ko [bilang isang Rotarian], nakikita ko po talaga ang kakulangan ng mga serbisyo pagpunta natin sa mga tinatawag nating geographically isolated areas," she shared.
Through medical missions and livelihood training programs, she has witnessed how communities suffer from a lack of access to medicine, doctors, and proper healthcare facilities.
“Nawitness po namin na may families na nagsasabi sa amin na nagkakasakit, hindi na umaabot sa ospital dahil unang-una, wala silang pamasahe, wala silang kapasidad na magpa-ospital,” she sympathized.
Dr. Vitangcol acknowledged the existence of Universal Healthcare but pointed out issues in its implementation, emphasizing the need for better funding and a comprehensive database system to enroll all Filipinos efficiently.
#BakitIkaw? “Tayo po ang maging boses nila”
Vitangcol firmly expressed her dedication to working toward policies that will uplift underprivileged children and ensure that education is accessible to all.
"Kung bibigyan tayo ng opportunity na makaupo, magtatrabaho tayo. Kasi ginusto natin ang trabaho na ito para manilbihan sa kapwa tao. Hindi ito posisyon lang na mayroon tayong power at pangalan," she affirmed.
“Tayo ay pupunta sa Kongreso para maging boses ng mga taong hindi naririnig at mga hinahain nilang mga problema ay tayo po ang maging boses nila para sila po ay mabigyan ng solusyon,” Vitangcol concluded.
If given a chance to secure a seat in Congress, along with H.E.L.P Pilipinas Partylist, Vitangcol is determined to push for reforms that will empower future generations by providing accessible education, better healthcare, and sustainable livelihoods for communities.
