Former Speaker and Taguig-Pateros Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano has declared that the challenges in the various aspects of health remain the priority in 2022 as the country moves from the current administration to the next.
In a recent media interview, Cayetano stated that physical, mental, financial and spiritual health of the public should be on top of priority of the next president.
“Magkakaroon din tayo ng transition dahil magkakaroon ng bagong Pangulo, isa ring challenge ito, pero y’un din ang haharapin niya eh, 'yung health ng ating mga kababayan. (We will be transitioning to a new administration this year and the challenges concerning the physical, mental, financial, and spiritual health of Filipinos are aspects they need to be prepared to address.),” he said.
He cited the COVID-19 pandemic as the first challenge in physical health of citizens that should be addressed.
Now running for a Senate seat, Cayetano noted that fighting the pandemic is very important, adding that the situation becomes even more difficult because 45 percent of the country’s barangay units do not enjoy primary health care.
The former House leader said the country needs to ramp up its vaccination program, particularly for booster shots as the threat of the Omicron variant continues to grow.
“Sa ibang bansa, ‘pag sinabi mong ‘fully vaccinated,’ tatlo na ‘yan, kasama ang booster. Pinag-uusapan na nga y’ung pang-apat eh. (In other countries, ‘fully vaccinated’ means three shots inclusive of a booster shot. Some countries even talk of administering a fourth shot already.)” he said.
True to his focus on faith-based and values-oriented leadership, Cayetano said even the spiritual health of the citizens is at risk especially as various forms of gambling and vices are being enabled by the government.
“Spiritual health... unfortunately imbis pigilan maraming tinulak ngayon, y’ung e-sabong, may e-casino pa raw, e-cigarettes, at y’ung vape. Y’ung mga causes addiction. (Spiritual health... unfortunately instead of preventing vices and other forms of gambling, there is a push for e-sabong, e-casinos, even e-cigarettes, vape, and other causes of addiction.),” he noted.
He has been advocating against the grant of legislative franchise to e-sabong operators.
The Lower House has approved franchise the franchise bill for Luck 8 Star Quest and is set to dispose of another, this time for the Visayas Cockers Club Inc.
The former Speaker said instead of allowing activities that could cause addiction and potentially destroy families, Congress should focus on direct stimulus programs to aid Filipinos amidst the pandemic.
In line with this, the financial health and economy of the country should similarly be addressed, according to Cayetano.
“Financial health, dahil marami pa ring nagsarang negosyo o lumiit ang kita, o nawalan ng trabaho...lalo na y’ung transport sector, hirap na hirap pa rin...at iba pang mga pagsubok gaya ng pagbagasak ng ekonomiya, challenge pa rin sa atin ‘yan. (Financial health, a lot of businesses closed, people lost their jobs, especially in the transport sector...part of the challenge is the financial health of the country and economy.),” he said.