A House deputy speaker is batting for free coverage of the medical treatment and hospitalization of indigent Filipino women.
Under House Bill (HB) 5243 filed by Las Piñas City lone district Rep. Camille Villar, indigent women “suffering from ‘women’s diseases’ such as cancer of the reproductive organ, cancer of the breast and pregnancy-related illnesses; illnesses and injuries due to violence inflicted on women".
The measure dictates that Indigent women seeking to avail of the law’s benefits must secure certification with the Department of Social Welfare and Development. To be classified as indigent, their monthly gross income must not exceed P5,000.
Furthermore, special women’s wards would be built in provincial and district hospitals for the sole purpose of providing the aforementioned benefits to indigent women.
“Granting free medical treatment and hospitalization benefits to indigent women is in consonance with the Constitutional provisions that recognize the need for such facilities and opportunities that will enhance their welfare and enable them to realize their full potential,” said Villar in the bill’s explanatory note.
The measure, filed on Sept. 28, tasks the Department of Health (DOH) and the DSWD to handle the crafting of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR).
Meanwhile, the funds for the implementation of the proposed law would be taken from the DOH’s budget.