Three lawmakers on Monday are pushing for the establishment of cancer medicine and treatment assistance fund for indigent and underprivileged Filipinos who are diagnosed with the disease.
Under House No. 7687 or Cancer Medicine and Treatment Fund for Filipinos Act as filed by Davao 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte, Benguet Lone District Rep. Eric Yap, and ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Edvic Yap, the government shall establish ₱10 billion cancer fund for the implementation of free cancer treatment program nationwide.
"The program shall be limited to indigent and underprivileged cancer patient beneficiaries to be identified by the PhilHealth (Philippine Health Insurance Corporation) in close coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Department of Health (DOH), and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)," it stated.
The said cancer fund shall be included in the national budget of the Health department.
According to the proposed measure, Philhealth is tasked to issue the necessary rules and regulations of the act's provisions within 6 months from the effectivity.
