MANILA, Philippines — Quezon City Rep. Alfred Vargas called on the Department of Health (DOH) to explain why the council tasked with formulating the country’s policy response to cancer has yet to be convened two years after the passage of the National Integrated Cancer Control Act (NICCA).
Vargas, who is one of the principal authors of the NICCA, expressed concern Wednesday, saying that the cancer control law could become a “dead letter,” or a law that exists but is not enforced due to the failure to form the National Integrated Cancer Control Council.
“What’s with the delay? Habang pira-piraso ang implementasyon natin ng NICCA, hindi nabibigyan ng benepisyo ang mga kababayan natin na may kanser na nakasaad sa batas,” Vargas said in a statement.
(We are not able to give assistance to our countrymen with cancer if we implement NICCA little by little.)
Under the NICCA, the council is mandated to serve as the policymaking, planning, and coordinating body on concerns related to cancer control in the country.
“The law is there, and it is already funded, yet we cannot fully implement it because the body that should get the ball rolling has not yet been formed. I hope the DOH acts with urgency on this,” Vargas said.
According to Vargas, more than P700 million had been allocated for the country’s cancer control program under the 2021 budget. The lawmaker said this funding could be reverted back to the National Treasury if it will not be utilized.
“Masasayang po ang effort ng lahat para mapondohan ang batas dahil isang quarter na ang lumipas ngunit hindi pa rin nagagamit,” Vargas said.
(The efforts to fund the law will be wasted because a quarter of the year has passed yet the funds have not been used.)
Vargas said cancer patients are also more at risk during the pandemic because of their weak immunities, adding that many families whose loved ones are suffering from the disease are forced to pawn or sell their belongings and properties.
“Cancer continues to pose a great risk to the Filipino people. Nananawagan po tayo sa DOH, bilis-bilisan po natin ang kilos nang mabigyan natin ng suporta at ginhawa ang mga may kanser sa lalong madaling panahon,” Vargas said.
(I call on the DOH to hasten its action so we can provide support to those with cancer.)