ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo (Facebook)

Citing the prevalence of breast cancer in the country, House Deputy Majority Leader ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo is aggresively pushing for the Philippine Health Insurance Corp (PhilHealth) to offer free mammogram and ultrasound to women. 

Tulfo raised the matter on Tuesday, March 5 during a joint committee hearing that that attended by PhilHealth National Capital Region (NCR) Office Vice President Bernadette Lico. 

“It was brought up [during previous hearings] yung basic diagnostics, x-rays, ultrasound, ECG (electrocardiogram), and particularly mammogram should be free courtesy of PhilHealth lalo na mga kababaihan particularly Women’s Month ngayon,” he said. 

(It was brought up that basic diagnostics, x-rays, ultrasound, ECG, and particularly mammogram should be free courtesy of PhilHealth especially for women particularly since it's Women’s Month now.) 

“Pwede po ba gawing libre na ang mammogram para sa mga kababaihan natin? I think nasa top five po ng causes of death ng Filipino women ang cancer of the breast,” Tulfo said. 

(Can we make mammogram for our women free? I think breast cancer is in the top five of causes of death among Filipino women.) 

A report in August 2023 bared that there are 86,484 cancer cases in the Philippines. Out of this number, 27,163 are reported to be breast cancer cases.

Lico responded by saying that they are already working on accommodating Tulfo's request. “Your recommendation for ultrasound and mammogram will be included later on kapag nagkaroon na po tayo ng comprehensive allocation benefit package,” she said. 

But Tulfo, the deputy majority leader for communications, insisted that PhilHealth should hasten the process. 

“Can we fast track it or can we do something about it kasi (because) check-up will be a preventive measure para po sa ating mga kababaihan. Para yung mga kababaihan alam nila kung ano ang gagawin nila kung ma-detect ang kanilang sakit at an early stage then she can be treated,” he explained. 

(Check-up will be a preventive measure for our women. So that they will know what to do if the ailment is detected at an early stage.) 

“Why not gawing libre kapag member siya ng PhilHealth? Kahit once a year lang na pwede po yung member magpa-checkup ng mammogram o kaya po ultrasound. Because it is badly needed by our women,” the rookie lawmaker added. 

(Why not make it free for PhilHealth members? Once-a-year testing will do.) 

Lico clarified that mammograms, ultrasounds, and other tests were already covered for PhilHealth members diagnosed with cancer. 

Tulfo stressed that the free tests should be given to all female members, even they are not  cancer patients. 

The joint committee was composed of the Committees on Ways and Means, on Senior Citizens; and the Special Committee on Persons with Disabilities.