Iloilo 1st district Rep. Janette Garin (PPAB)

Deputy Majority Leader Iloilo 1st district Rep. Janette Garin says the House of Representatives should focus on improving on healthcare in the 2025 national budget, particularly with providing free maintenance medications for people who have diabetes and hypertension. 

The former Department of Health (DOH) secretary had this to say following the statement of House Speaker Martin Romualdez that the chamber will ensure ample funding for health on the proposed P6.352-trillion budget for next year. 

“Maintenance medications ng diabetes at hypertension, that’s very important. Ipatuloy ang (Let's continue the) Medical Assistance Program (MAP),” Garin said in a press conference when asked about those issues in healthcare that should have allocation. 

“Kapag ang gastusin ng kalusugan ay naiibsan substantially, hindi lamang ng PhilHealth, ang mangyayari dyan—‘yung taumbayan makakagalaw, makaka-contribute sa economy,” said Garin, who added that they are also looking forward to a free cancer treatment. 

(Once the health-related expenditures are met, not just by PhilHealth, what will happen is that the citizenry can move and contribute to the economy.) 

MAP has been assisting individuals with health-related problems seeking financial help, which is embedded on the premise of augmenting their funds. It is in partnership with government and private hospitals, health facilities, medicine retailers, and other partners. 

During her tenure in the DOH, Garin provided free medicines for diabetes such as Metformin while Amlodipine, Losartan, and Metoprolol were given for hypertension. 

Meanwhile, Garin reminded the public to practice healthy lifestyle choices and avoid unhealthy habits such as physical inactivity, smoking, and alcohol consumption. 

“Pinakamahalaga pa rin na panatilihin malusog ang ating kalusugan, tiyakin na may sapat na ehersisyo, at balanced diet para ang mga sakit tulad ng diabetes at hypertension ay maiwasan,” Garin, also a doctor, concluded. 

(It is most important to maintain good health, to ensure you have enough exercise and a balanced diet so that you can avoid ailments like diabetes and hypertension.)