Romualdez cited for role in increasing Cancer Assistance Fund
At A Glance
- Makati City 2nd district Rep. Luis Campos Jr. has credited Speaker Martin Romualdez for the significant increase in the earmarked Cancer Assistance Fund (CAF) under the 2024 national budget.
- The 2024 CAF has been bumped up to P1.25 billion--150 percent higher than the P500 million for the CAF in 2023.
House Speaker Martin Romualdez (left), Makati City 2nd district Rep. Luis Campos Jr. (Facebook)
A vice chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations has credited Speaker Martin Romualdez for the significant increase in the earmarked Cancer Assistance Fund (CAF) under the 2024 national budget.
Makati City 2nd district Rep. Luis Campos Jr. said in a statement Sunday, Feb. 11 that for this year, the CAF has been bumped up to P1.25 billion.
"This is itemized in the 2024 national budget. The amount is 150 percent higher than the P500 million for the CAF in 2023,” Campos said.
Pointing to Romualdez's efforts as far as the particular allocation is concerned, Campos said that more patients can now be helped to fight the dreaded disease that is killing 96 Filipinos every day.
“The CAF will directly benefit cancer patients, persons living with cancer, cancer survivors, and high-risk individuals,” said the solon, who is the husband of Makati City Mayor Abigail Binay.
“The fund will pay for the cost of cancer screening, early detection, diagnosis, treatment, and its care-related components, including the required diagnostics and laboratories for eight priority cancer types,” Campos said.
He said the P1.25-billion CAF is on top of the P1 billion earmarked this year for the National Integrated Cancer Control Program. February is national Cancer Awareness Month.
The CAF may be availed through Department of Health (DOH)-run hospitals.
The DOH has identified the eight priority cancer types as: breast cancer; childhood cancers; gynecologic cancers; liver cancer, including colorectal and other digestive tract cancers; head and neck cancers, including thyroid; lung cancer; and prostate, renal and urinary bladder cancer.