Speaker Martin Romualdez (center) assures the House support for initiatives to improve healthcare and allied services as well as various forms of assistance for cancer patients during a townhall meetings held on July 17, 2023 at the Philippine Children’s Medical Center (PCMC).

Speaker Martin Romualdez facilitated on Monday, July 17 the release of P6.78 million worth of medical assistance via guarantee letters to over 200 cancer patients.

This, as Romualdez attended his first town hall meeting at Philippine Children’s Medical Center (PCMC) in Quezon City.

During the meeting, the Leyte 1st district congressman he spoke on issues related to treatment, care, and other problems confronting pediatric and adult cancer patients.

"To the care and medication of a cancer patient is among the most financially taxing things that a family can experience. It is even more difficult if children are involved. Through this medical assistance, we hope to somehow ease the burden on these families and give them hope," Romualdez said.

All 30 cancer patients-slash-participants of the town hall meeting were each given guarantee letters worth P50,000 (total P1,500,000) through the Medical Assistance for Indigent Patients (MAIP) of the Department of Health (DOH).

MAIP guarantee letters, this time worth P30,000 each, were also distributed to 176 admitted patients of PCMC (total: P5,280,000).

In all, the guarantee letters distributed Monday amounted to P6,780,000.

Meanwhile, the 30 participants in the town hall meeting also took home P10,000 each in cash aid via the Department of Social Welfare and Development's (DSWD) Assistance to individuals in crisis situations (AICS) program or a total of P300,000.

"I sincerely thank President Marcos, DoH Secretary Dr. Ted Herbosa, and DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian for their kind-hearted intervention. Their assistance will literally end up saving lives," said Romualdez.

He said he will attend more townhall meetings in the future in order to "hear the voices of our people".

"We thank PCMC and PCC (Philippine Cancer Center) for this initiative and for paving way to bring us closer to our people. Through this, we will validate concerns, reach the grassroots, hear out your needs and challenges. We would also like to hear proposed solutions that Congress can address," the House leader said.

He noted that thousands of Filipinos die each year due to cancer, which has become one of the leading causes of death in the country.

Romualdez’s participation in the town hall meeting is also expected to place the lower chamber in a better position to respond to cancer treatment- and care-related issues in terms of legislation moving forward.