Signature drive for nat’l cancer program launched

With the number of cancer cases among adults and children increasing, the Cancer Coalition of the Philippines launches today “Kalayaan Mula sa Kanser,” a signature campaign asking Congress to enact a law on an integrated cancer control and prevention program.

Paul Perez, the coalition spokesperson, said there had been numerous Department of Health Administrative Orders on cancer but there has never been an integrated bill passed on cancer.

“We want it to be a law for a consistent budget; to have the whole program in place,” he said, adding that the program should cover the entire spectrum from prevention, detection, diagnosis to treatment and survivorship.

Perez said Quezon City Rep. Alfred Vargas filed a bill on cancer last year but “unfortunately, it was never scheduled for committee hearings.”

“The call to Congress is really to strengthen regional cancer centers by having these equipped with full delivery systems in place, plus a budget for training a multi-disciplinary team of health workers,” he added.

Kara Magsanoc-Alikpala, coalition cochair, also said that a comprehensive national cancer plan was long overdue.

As part of its plan, Perez said the coalition would work with the government, policy makers, the private sector, civil society and international development partners.

Those who want to sign the petition may go to the change.org petition page at https://www.change.org/p/ kalayaan-mula-sa-kanser-pass-an-integrated-national-cancer-act-now or www.facebook.com/CancerCoalitionPH.