House Deputy Minority Leader and Bagong Henerasyon Party-list Rep. Bernadette Herrera (Rep. Herrera's office)

The Marcos administration has proven its dedication to help Filipino cancer patients as far as House Deputy Minority Leader and Bagong Henerasyon Party-list Rep. Bernadette Herrera is concerned. 

This, after Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman announced that over P2 billion has been set aside in the proposed 2024 national budget to aid Filipino cancer patients. 

The amount is P500 million higher than the current allocation for the government’s cancer control and assistance programs. 

Herrera called the budget increase “a commendable step forward in the pursuit of accessible and compassionate healthcare for all Filipinos". 

“The government’s decision to earmark this significant amount for cancer patient support underscores the importance of accessible and quality healthcare for all, and its recognition of the hardships faced by those affected by this devastating disease,” Herrera said as she thanked President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and Pangandaman for the move. 

The congresswoman added: “It underscores the government's dedication to alleviating the burden of cancer on affected individuals and their families, bringing hope and healing to countless lives." 

In a recent statement, Pangandaman announced that an allocation of P1.024 billion under the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases will provide support to over 18,000 cancer patients nationwide. This funding will cover the procurement of essential cancer commodities such as Trastuzumab 600 mg/5mL, Docetaxel 40 mg/mL, and Paclitaxel 6 mg/mL. 

She said that an additional P1 billion has been designated for the Cancer Assistance Fund (CAF) to sustain medical aid for 6,666 registered cancer patients spread across 31 cancer access sites nationwide. 

The CAF will play a crucial role in financing both outpatient and inpatient cancer control services, encompassing therapeutic procedures and vital cancer medications. 

The fund aims to address the financial gap in cancer diagnostics and laboratories not covered by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth). 

On average, Filipino families expend roughly P150,000 per patient on these treatments.