Deputy Speaker and Batangas Rep. Ralph Recto on Thursday vowed to push for restoration of P1 billion cancer fund in 2023 national budget.
“Restoring the cancer fund in the national budget is one doctor’s order we cannot ignore,” Recto said in a statement.
“And if it is the DOH Secretary herself who had issued that prescription, we have no other recourse but to follow,” he added.
Recto recalled that under the 2022 GAA, ang Cancer Control Program (P787 million) is under the “Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases” which was allocated P1.38 billion.
The Cancer Assistance Fund at P529 million is part of the “Social Health Protection Program” which gets P21.9 billion.
“Sa ilalim ng panukalang 2023 national budget, ang panukalang budget para sa “Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases” ay itataas sa P2.1 billion at ang sa “Social Health Protection Program” naman ay aangat bahagya at magiging P22.4 billion,” Recto stated.
“I propose a P1 billion fund for cancer control and cancer assistance and I believe that fiscal space can be created to accommodate it,” he said.
“Cancer killed almost 60,000 Filipinos last year, or one every nine minutes. Seven in 10 cancer patients drop out of treatment regimen for lack of funds. Most families is one cancer diagnosis away from bankruptcy,” he added.
This developed as Anakalusugan Rep. Ray Florence Reyes sought a review of Republic Act 7875 or the National health Insurance Program Law to address the issues.