Sen. JV Ejercito says PRRD's signing into law of cancer measure a heartwarming V-Day 'gift'

REELECTIONIST Senator JV Ejercito on Monday expressed gratitude to President Duterte for signing into law the National Integrated Cancer Control Act measure, now Republic Act No. 11215.

"Nakakataba ng puso dahil pinirmahan ito ni Presidente noong February 14 mismo, Valentine's Day. I am very thankful for this very heartwarming and very affectionate 'gift' by the President to cancer patients and their families and to the people," he said in a statement.

Ejercito, principal author and sponsor of the measure, was also thankful to various civic organizations and stakeholders, like the Cancer Coalition Philippines, for their support while it was still being deliberated in the Senate.

"I also would like to extend my gratitude to the various organizations and stakeholders, like the Cancer Coalition Philippines and its member organizations and advocates, for their full and generous support," he said.

Ejercito, also author of the Universal Health Care measure, said the law would address the various gaps in the cancer care continuum and integrated solutions.

He said it mandates a more focused prevention and integrated cancer program that would improve the survivorship of cancer patients, noting that the dreaded illness is the third leading cause of adult death and fourth in child mortality. The Philippine Cancer Facts and Estimates from the Department of Health has revealed an alarming increase in the incidence of cancer, estimating up to 8 deaths per day for childhood cancer and up to 11 new cases and 7 deaths every hour for adult cancer.

This computes to a figure of approximately 110,000 new cancer cases and over 66,000 cancer deaths each year.