Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go emphasized the importance of allocating sufficient funds for specific healthcare programs, such as those addressing cancer, tuberculosis, and mental health disorders, during the Committee on Finance hearing for the Department of Health’s (DOH) budget on Thursday, September 28.
“We must also give enough focus and ensure funding for our programs to address other diseases such as cancer, tuberculosis, and mental health disorders,” Go said.
He pointed out that the Cancer Assistance Fund (CAF) for this year was set at P500 million through the collective efforts of lawmakers last year. Go proposed for this to be doubled to P1 billion for the next year. However, he expressed concern over the current reported underutilization of the fund.
“Pakisilip po ninyo ito. Sa dami ng cancer patients na nangangailangan ng tulong, sigurado naman pong mauubos yan at hindi katanggap-tanggap na hindi ninyo magastos ang pondo sa pagtulong sa kanila,” he added.
Drawing from his previous advocacy, Go has been a consistent voice for increased funding for the CAF. “Dapat patuloy na pataasin ang budget para sa cancer assistance fund,” he said in an earlier interview.
Furthermore, the senator expressed his support for a proposed cancer fund intended to aid Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), a project championed by the late Secretary Susan “Toots” Ople of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).
“This initiative highlights the urgent requirement to offer aid and compassion to the modern-day heroes who are confronting cancer while working far away from their homes,” he added.
In an online interview with Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Hong Kong, most of them positively agreed with Go’s proposal.
“Agree po ako sa sinabi ni Sen Bong Go. Malaki and maitutulong nito sa mga nagkakasakit ng cancer, dumaranas ng Mental Health (problem) at TB. Kung mapapansin, particular sa mga OFW na they are afraid na umuwi kasi they are thinking sa laki ng charges sa treatment kaya kaya po nanatili sila sa ibang bansa para lang maka-avail ng murang gamutan,” said
Janice Andeza, Coordinator of Filipino Migrants Cancer Support Society-HK (FILMCASS).
“Naway paigtingin pa lalo ang advocacy ni Sen Bong Go ng mapakinabangan ang pondo sa mga deserve nating mga mamayan,” she added.
Gemma Solomon, FilmCass HK Adviser and a cancer survivor working as a domestic worker in HK also agreed with the lawmaker’s proposal.
She says though, “said “Okay lang sa akin na taasan ang budget, kaso paano na kung wala ng budget ang PHL Gov.na maibigay?
Solomon likewise suggested that the Philippine government have a campaign for cancer awareness like preventing Filipino people from smoking.
In a statement, Sen Bong Go further stressed the financial burden that cancer places on families.
“Talagang pipilayan ang pamilya tuwing nagkakanser ka, pilay na po ang inyong pamilya, halos hindi na po nakakatrabaho ‘yan, nakafocus na po sa pagpapagamot,” he said.
