Two years after the National Integrated Cancer Control Act (Republic Act 11215) was signed into law on February 14, the national government must ensure that the promised financial aid for cancer patients is easily accessible to all who need it, Sorsogon Governor Chiz Escudero said.
The former senator said the Department of Health (DOH) should facilitate the release of the Php529.20 million Cancer Assistance Fund to cover the cost of cancer treatment and its care-related components such as diagnostics and laboratories.
“Dalawang taon na tayong nakatutok sa COVID-19 ngunit huwag nating kalimutan na ang kanser ay nananatiling isa sa mga pangunahing dahilan ng pagkamatay ng mga Pilipino. Ngayong pandemya, lalong humirap at lumala ang kondisyon nga mga may kanser dahil sa kakulangan ng mga ospital na kaya silang tanggapin sa gitna ng pandemya,” said Escudero, who is seeking a Senate comeback.
From January to October 2021, cancer was the fourth leading cause of death in the Philippines, following ischemic heart diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, and deaths due to COVID-19 virus identified, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority. In 2020, cancer was the second leading cause of mortality.
Escudero noted that the condition of people with cancer who contract COVID-19 was 16 times more critical than COVID-19 patients without cancer, as reported by the Cancer Coalition of the Philippines.
“While we continue to live with an extended health crisis, we cannot ignore the urgent needs of cancer patients and their caregivers, some of whom have lost their jobs because of the pandemic. We have to make sure that in these extra difficult times, they can get their medicines and treatment quickly and freely,” Escudero said.
Aside from the Cancer Assistance Fund, Php786.956 million has been allocated for the government’s Cancer Control Program in the 2022 General Appropriations Act. This amount is exclusively for the procurement of medicines for cancer, including supportive and palliative care drugs.
The GAA also allotted Php33.68 million for the Philippine Cancer Center, which is mandated to lead and support cancer research, train medical professionals, and keep the population-based cancer registry.
“Those who have battled cancer or taken care of cancer patients know that it is a race against time. Every day that patients cannot afford or access cancer treatment is one day closer to death. This is something the government, especially the DOH, must keep in mind so it does not drag its feet with the implementation of the NICCA,” Escudero said.
According to the Global Cancer Observatory, there were 153,751 new cancer cases in the Philippines in 2020, with 86,484 or 56% occurring among women. Cancer of the breast, lung, colon, liver, prostate, cervix uteri, thyroid, rectum, leukemia and ovary were identified as the most common types of cancer among Filipinos.
The DOH, citing 2018 global data, said more than 140,000 new cancer cases and 80,000 cancer deaths are expected annually, which translates to at least 219 Filipinos dying from cancer every year. Of the projected new cases, at least 4,000 will be among children.
“The job of legislators is not just to make relevant laws but to ensure that these laws are implemented. Funding is critical to this. If we do not follow through with funding, then what is the point of legislation?” Escudero said.
The Philippines marks National Cancer Awareness Month in February.