Former senator and incumbent Sorsogon Governor Francis “Chiz” Escudero has urged the Department of Health (DOH) to ensure that the promised financial aid for cancer patients are easily accessible to all who need it and are not diverted elsewhere.

Escudero noted that it has been two years since the National Integrated Cancer Control Act or Republic Act 11215 has been signed into law on February 14. The Philippines marks National Cancer Awareness Month every February.

The DOH, he said, should facilitate the quick release of the P529.20-million Cancer Assistance Fund (CAF) to cover the cost of cancer treatment and its care-related components such as diagnostics and laboratories.

“Dalawang taon na tayong nakatutok sa COVID-19 ngunit huwag nating kalimutan na ang kanser ay nananatiling isa sa mga pangunahing dahilan ng pagkamatay ng mga Pilipino (We’ve been focused on COVID-19 for the past two years but let’s not forget that cancer is still the leading cause of death among Filipinos),” Escudero said in a statement.

“Ngayong pandemya, lalong humirap at lumala ang kondisyon nga mga may kanser dahil sa kakulangan ng mga ospital na kaya silang tanggapin sa gitna ng pandemya (During this pandemic, many cancer patients are suffering due to a worsening conditions due to lack of hospitals that are willing to take them in in the middle of a pandemic),” said Escudero, who is seeking another Senate term in the upcoming May 2022 senatorial elections.

Citing the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) study, Escudero noted that cancer was the fourth leading cause of death in the Philippines, following ischemic heart diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, and deaths due to COVID-19 virus identified from January to October 2021.

In 2020, he pointed out cancer was the second leading cause of mortality.

Escudero also lamented that the condition of people with cancer who contract COVID-19 was 16 times more critical than COVID-19 patients without cancer, as reported by the Cancer Coalition of the Philippines.

“While we continue to live with an extended health crisis, we cannot ignore the urgent needs of cancer patients and their caregivers, some of whom have lost their jobs because of the pandemic,” the former lawmaker stressed.

“We have to make sure that in these extra difficult times, they can get their medicines and treatment quickly and freely,” he said.

Aside from the Cancer Assistance Fund, Escudero noted that P786.956-million has been allocated for the government’s Cancer Control Program in the 2022 General Appropriations Act (GAA).

The amount is exclusively for the procurement of medicines for cancer, including supportive and palliative care drugs.

Under the GAA, P33.68-million is also allocated for the Philippine Cancer Center, which is mandated to lead and support cancer research, train medical professionals, and keep the population-based cancer registry.

“Those who have battled cancer or taken care of cancer patients know that it is a race against time. Every day that patients cannot afford or access cancer treatment is one day closer to death,” he said.

“This is something the government, especially the DOH, must keep in mind so it does not drag its feet with the implementation of the NICCA,” Escudero further stressed.

“The job of legislators is not just to make relevant laws but to ensure that these laws are implemented. Funding is critical to this. If we do not follow through with funding, then what is the point of legislation?” he emphasized.