AS the Philippines grapples with the aftermath of Typhoons Kristine and Leon, which have displaced 711,149 individuals and resulted in 151 fatalities, 134 injuries, and 21 missing persons according to National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) data as of November 5, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go reminded PhilHealth to ensure that those needing health services would be able to avail of benefits due to them, particularly in the wake of such calamities.
Go specifically reminded PhilHealth of its commitment to expanded health benefits and services as outlined in the Universal Health Care Act (Republic No. Act 11223), urging the agency to be proactive in protecting Filipinos’ health amid increased threats from vector-borne and waterborne diseases.
“Dapat ang PhilHealth ay magiging mas mabilis at mas maayos ang benepisyong maibibigay sa ating mga kababayan, lalo na sa panahon ng kalamidad na katulad nito,” Go stated. “Ang mga Pilipino ay hindi dapat nag-aalala pa tungkol sa gastusin sa kalusugan kapag sila ay nasalanta ng bagyo.”
The recent typhoons, combined with the onset of the rainy season, have increased risks of diseases such as dengue, leptospirosis, and other infections that typically surge following prolonged flooding and poor sanitation. Now, with Typhoon Marce also posing a threat, the public faces yet another potential health crisis.
Go pointed out that these health risks disproportionately affect communities already devastated by the storms, and he reminded PhilHealth of its commitment to implement key benefit packages that would ease the burden on affected Filipinos.
Recently, the Senate Health Committee, which Go chairs, received a formal commitment from PhilHealth regarding several new and expanded benefits that they ensured to pursue after numerous appeals from Go and other health stakeholders and amid billions of unutilized funds within its coffers.
“Afterall, ang pera para sa kalusugan ng mga Pilipino ay dapat gamitin para sa kalusugan ng mga Pilipino — ang pondo ng PhilHealth ay para sa Health!,” he reiterated.
“Our typhoon victims deserve every bit of medical support, lalo na kapag may existing conditions na kailangan ng tuloy-tuloy na gamutan,” he noted. “Kapag tinamaan ng ganitong kalamidad, hindi pwedeng itigil ang gamutan sa mga nangangailangan.”
“Lahat ng aspeto ng kalusugan, mula mata hanggang kaisipan, dapat nabibigyang pansin,” Go emphasized. “Hindi pwedeng pabayaan ang mga taong nangangailangan ng mga serbisyong ito, lalo na ngayon at mataas ang banta ng sakit dulot ng mga bagyo.”
In closing, Go reiterated that responsive health support is essential in ensuring the safety and well-being of Filipinos amid the increasingly volatile weather patterns.
“Bilang inyong Mr. Malasakit, anumang pagsubok ang ating haharapin sa susunod na mga araw, patuloy akong magseserbisyo sa inyong lahat dahil bisyo ko na ang magserbisyo at naniniwala ako na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo sa Diyos,” Go said. (Unlinews Online)
