House Speaker Martin Romualdez (Speaker’s office)

Speaker Martin Romualdez vowed the House of Representatives’ full support for measures that aim to promote and improve access to dental health for every Filipino.

Romualdez said this in his keynote address during the 115th Convention of the Philippine Dental Association (PDA) at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City, where he vouched for the House’s “collective ability” to make a difference.

“Proactively, the House of Representatives of the 19th Congress is advancing legislation to ensure every city and municipal health unit includes a dental service as part of its primary health care offering,” he said.

As part of its ongoing effort, Romualdez said the lower chamber is deliberating on several bills that would provide free medical and dental services to indigent Filipino children.

The Speaker emphasized the importance of prioritizing dental health, noting that it’s an often overlooked aspect of a person’s overall health.

He said many Filipinos still suffer from preventable dental diseases, which affects how they eat, speak, and interact with others.

“The implications of neglecting oral health are dire, not just for our economy but for the future of our nation's children. That's why improving Filipino oral health must be a priority,” the House leader stressed.

Citing a 2020 report from the World Health Organization (WHO), Romualdez said the Philippines lost an equivalent of about P47 billion in productivity due to oral diseases.

He said the government has already taken decisive action to address this urgent concern as evident in Section 6 (a) of Republic Act (RA) No. 11223, or the Universal Health Care Act, which included dental services as one of the fundamental health services every Filipino is entitled to. 

Romualdez pointed out that even the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion, or TRAIN law, enacted higher taxes on sugary beverages to curb consumption and thereby prevent oral diseases.

The House leader further urged fellow legislators, healthcare providers, community leaders, and industry stakeholders to join hands in increasing the public’s awareness in dental care.

“Together, let us work to ensure that dental health is not just a privilege but a right accessible to all. Let us keep the Filipino smile not only warm and bright but also healthy and strong,” he said.