Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito on Friday assured that National Integrated Cancer Control Act (NICCA) and other cancer control programs would continue to be funded sufficiently.
Ejercito shared his commitment through his representative, former San Juan Councilor Allen Silvano, in a media forum conducted by Cancer Coalition Philippines at Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria, in celebration
The NICCA law aims to support cancer patients through cancer prevention programs. Enacted in February 2019, the NICCA also aims to boost cancer control efforts, improve survivorship, and reduce the burden of disease.
“The NICCA (National Integrated Cancer Control Act) law is crafted from the people by the people for the people,” Ejercito said.
Ejercito expressed his gratitude who had contributed to getting the bill signed.
“The NICCA was brought out not only by necessity but mainly because of our love for life. From the moment we have filed the bill, to the conduct of many committee hearings, to the debates in the plenary until the bill was signed into law, and now receiving the necessary funds, you have been with me,” the senator said.
Ejercito, whose wife, Hyacinth, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016 and is now a cancer survivor, shared his sentiments and sympathy with family members of cancer patients who were going through a lot of sacrifices and pain.
“NICCA is our labor of love. Because each one of us here has their own way of showing their love,” he said.
He also encouraged everyone to continue to support the NICCA and other cancer prevention programs.
“Let us allow such labor of love to ball in once again and be on guard that such programs are funded sufficiently. Cancer has taken away a lot from us but it has also brought [out] the best in us. Let us continue to give each other the strength to push forward and carry on,” he said.
He also expressed his optimism for a cancer-free Philippines.
“I dream that in the near future, [our] cancer month will no longer be a month of international awareness but the day we celebrate our victory,” Ejercito added.