Anakalusugan Party-list Rep. Ray Reyes (left), President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. (Facebook, Speaker's office)
Anakalusugan Party-list Rep. Ray Reyes praised President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Wednesday, July 26 for emphasizing health as a priority of his administration during the latter's second State of the Nation Address (SONA). Marcos did so "through the implementation of programs on nutrition, structural enhancements in the healthcare system, public health facilities, regional specialty centers, a policy response to the shortage of doctors and nurses and the payment of benefits due them," Reyes said. President Marcos delivered his SONA on Monday afternoon, July 24 during a joint session of Congress. "This year's SONA has proven that, given the right leadership and direction, the Filipino can. It embodied the aspirations of our people and presented a clear policy direction towards the achievement of governmental goals," the neophyte lawmaker said. Reyes said that, while thr SONA recognized the nation's political diversity, "it underscored the commitment towards a healthier future for all Filipinos". He said the administration has also reported the success of health programs, including the vaccination of children; cheaper medicines and medications for cancer, diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease, and mental illness; the enrollment of most of our countrymen in Universal Healthcare under Philhealth; free dialysis treatment; and the large the number of Filipinos benefitting from the Medical Assistance for Indigent Patients (MAIP) program. Reyes is a vice chairman of the House Commitee on Health.