Senate ratifies bicam report on cancer control bill

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate on Thursday approved the bicameral conference committee report on the bill that seeks to enforce a national framework to combat cancer.

The bicameral conference committee report is the consolidated version of Senate Bill No. 1850 or the National Integrated Cancer Control Act and its counterpart, House Bill No. 8636.

The bill plans to establish the National Integrated Cancer Control Program which seeks to prevent deaths  from cancer by providing “affordable and accessible” medical treatment.

Once approved by the Senate and House of Representatives, the bill will be submitted to President Rodrigo Duterte for signature.

With this, Senator JV Ejercito, co-sponsor of the measure’s Senate version, said the measure provides hope for Filipinos suffering from cancer that affordable cancer treatment will be available.

“If enacted into law, the National Integrated Cancer Control Act will give hope to every Filipino who suffered long enough battling cancer on their own that they will have an equitable and affordable cancer treatment and care especially for the underprivileged and marginalized Filipinos,” Ejercito said in a statement.

Ejercito added that the measure provides a “patient centric support system” which enables cancer patients to live with dignity and productivity.

“Our vision is a patient-centric support system that is caring, supportive, within a progressive and enabling environment so that Filipinos affected with cancer can live with dignity, enjoying long, productive, and meaningful lives,” the senator said.

Under the measure, a National Integrated Cancer Advisory Council will be created to develop the National Cancer Control roadmap for establishment of integrated cancer control strategies, policies, programs in the national and local health care system.

The council will also help in developing evidence-based treatment standards and guidelines for “cost-effective cancer care models.”

According to the Department of Health’s Philippine Cancer Facts and Estimates, the incidence of cancer was up to eight deaths per day for childhood cancer and up to 11 new cases and seven deaths per hour for adult cancer. /ee