HONTIVEROS LEADS RELIEF AND MEDICAL MISSION IN ALBAY

Akbayan Senator Risa Hontiveros on Thursday spearheaded a relief and medical mission in Camalig, Albay where over a thousand evacuees are staying at the Barangay Bariw evacuation camp and nearby areas.

Hontiveros said that the relief and medical mission was conducted to check the general wellbeing of the evacuees as the eruption of Mayon Volcano disrupted the lives of thousands of people in the community leaving many vulnerable and helpless.

The medical mission provided medical consultations prioritizing the most vulnerable sectors, such as the senior citizens, people with disabilities (PWD) and pregnant women. Aside from health services, the mission likewise gave away medicines for common ailments.

The Bicol mission, Hontiveros said, is part of her advocacy to further strengthen the delivery of health services in the country and realize universal healthcare for all Filipinos. ? The activity, Hontiveros explained, complements her recently filed measure seeking to provide universal health care for all Filipinos. Senate Bill No. 1714, otherwise known as "The Health Pinoy, Health 'Pinas Act of 2018, seeks to address barriers in health governance, health human resources, regulations, service delivery, and health information that would prevent Filipinos from accessing care.

Hontiveros said that the objective of the relief and medical mission in Bicol to highlight the valuable role of community health workers in service provision and health education is part of the overall aims of her proposed measure.

"With the recent Mayon disaster, the threat continues to hound hundreds of families in Bicol economically, physically and emotionally. The children, women and seniors are vulnerable to many forms of threat, including severe health and sanitation conditions. This is the reason why we are pushing for a universal healthcare system to bring together and strengthen our community so we can better respond to crises, such as this," she said.

Meanwhile, Hontiveros attended a Senate public hearing held in Legaspi City today to tackle the different measures on universal health care. The hearing was conducted by the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, where she sits as Vice-Chair.

"In a country where the gap between the rich and the poor remains wide, healthcare must be our great equalizer. Its universal fulfillment will deepen our democracy and is a step towards eradicating inequality," Hontiveros said.

The Bicol relief and medical mission was organized by the Office of Senator Risa Hontiveros in partnership with Akbayan, Team Albay Youth Organization, GAYON Albay LGBT Organization, Inc., the local government of Camalig, Albay Medical Society with support from the Department of Health and Civil Military Operation Batallion.