Advocates for the control and prevention of noncommunicable diseases warned against unaddressed gaps in the country’s healthcare system, saying this would add to the burden of ailing Filipinos. 

Healthy Philippines Alliance (HPA) on Friday, March 3, pointed out that health care gaps – especially in treating cancer – weigh down Filipinos in need. 

“[E]xpensive long-term treatments can financially drain a patient. While limited access to cancer care services hinder screening and early detection of the disease,” said Carmen Auste of Cancer Warrior Foundation. 

This prompted HPA to urge the national government and the private sector to “deliver more accessible health care services” for cancer patients. 

Earlier, Auste, together with other health advocates, called on President Ferdinand  “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s administration to allocate a bigger fund for the National Integrated Cancer Control Act (NICCA), reiterating that it would strengthen the country’s defense against the disease. 

Cancer, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), is the third leading cause of death among Filipinos in 2022.