The AGRI Party-list has lauded the passage of the Universal Health Care Act, saying the law would greatly benefit marginalized sectors like farmers and fisherfolk.
The law which was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday, automatically enrolls all Filipinos in the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP).
It also expands PhilHealth coverage, which will now include free medical checkups, laboratory tests, and other diagnostic services.
“The UHC will help those from the agriculture and fisheries sectors cope with the cost of health care.”
The funds for the law’s implementation will be pooled from sin tax collections, annual appropriations of the Department of Health (DOH), government subsidy to PhilHealth, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office’s charity fund, income from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, and premium contributions of members.
It also authorizes DOH-retained hospitals, specialty hospitals, and local government unit hospitals to retain and utilize 100 percent of their income to enhance their capacity and improve the quality of their services.
“As one of the authors of this landmark law, AGRI Party-list is honored to be part of this collective effort to improve the lives of Filipinos, particularly of farmers and fisherfolk who remain among the poorest sectors and have limited access to quality health care services,” said AGRI Party-list Secretary General Benjie Martinez.
Martinez said the law would give farmers and fisherfolk peace of mind especially with the out-of-pocket expenditure for health continuing to rise.
“AGRI Party-list will continue to push for policies that would cater not only to the improvement of their sector but also for their own welfare.”
Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that household out-of-pocket expenses reached P372.8 billion in 2017.
“The UHC will help those from the agriculture and fisheries sectors cope with the cost of health care. Hindi dapat nababaon sa utang ang mga kababayan natin dahil lamang sa sakit,” added Martinez.
Martinez also assured farmers and fisherfolk that AGRI Party-list will continue to push for policies that would cater not only to the improvement of their sector but also for their own welfare.
“Bukod sa modernisasyon ng agri-fisheries, patuloy nating ipaglalaban ang mga programang makaka-angat sa antas ng pamumuhay nila. Naipatupad na natin ang free tuition at universal health care. Marami pa tayong ipaglalaban.”
