Press Release
August 14, 2016

POE SEEKS P1B FUND FOR POOR WITH CANCER

Sen. Grace Poe is seeking the establishment of a P1-billion assistance fund aimed at providing financial aid to poor cancer patients.

Under Senate Bill 874, or "An Act to Assist Indigent Cancer Patients and their Families," which Poe filed, an annual appropriation of P1 billion is recommended as seed fund for the government's medicine and treatment assistance program to cancer victims.

"Napakahirap na sakit ng kanser dahil hindi lamang ang mismong maysakit ang apektado nito, kundi ang buong pamilya," Poe said, "Let's give the poor an opportunity to fight. Huwag natin silang pabayaan."

A study conducted by the University of the Philippines' Institute of Human Genetics, National Institute of Health showed that 189 per 100,000 Filipinos are afflicted with cancer, killing four Filipinos every hour or 103 cancer patients every day. Cancer remains one of the top causes of death and sickness in the country.

"We want to ensure organized and sustained specialized care and preventive measures against cancer which has afflicted thousands of poor Filipinos," Poe said as she urged the government to implement a system of providing premium care and assistance to indigent cancer patients and their families.

Under the bill, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation will administer the cancer assistance fund, assisted by the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Department of Interior and Local Government, in consultation with the private sector.

"Sa panahon ng pagsubok at kagipitan dahil sa pagkakasakit, malayo ang nararating ng bawat tulong. Sa pamamagitan ng Cancer Assistance Fund, nais nating ipadama sa ating mga kababayan na may pakialam ang pamahalaan sa kanilang paghihirap," saad ni Poe.

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