Loren Legarda. Contributed photo
MANILA, Philippines — Senator-elect Loren Legarda on Monday said the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act should be fully implemented as the country continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Legarda said that even when Filipinos are automatically enrolled in the national health insurance program that guarantees healthcare services, they are “still desperately trying” to access assistance.
“The Universal Health Care Act was approved in 2019. It has been three years since and yet Filipinos are still desperately trying to gain access to the assistance intended for them. There is still inequity in our healthcare system,” she said in a speech after she took her oath of office as senator.
She also emphasized that access to healthcare facilities and a sufficient number of healthcare workers should be ensured.
“More than this, we also have to make sure that healthcare facilities are available and fully equipped and that there are a sufficient number of health workers to effectively cater to the medical and health needs of our estimated 109 million population,” Legarda said.
Citing the province of Antique where she was the lone district representative in the 18th Congress, Legarda said construction, rehabilitation, and expansion of nine local hospitals were provided by the Department of Health Facilities Program.
“The benefits Filipinos get from the UHC Law may be deemed useless if we do not have health facilities and infrastructure – or professionals – that can keep up with technological advancements and cope with the threat of new and emerging diseases,” she added.
Legarda, who has served twice in the Senate, placed second in the May 9 senatorial race garnering 24,264,979 votes.
The winning senators were proclaimed by the Commission on Elections, sitting as the National Board of Canvassers, on May 18. – Xander Dave Ceballos, INQUIRER.net intern
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