Election 2025
Aquino bats for adequate funding for Philhealth, free health services in gov’t hospitals
Amid mounting healthcare costs, former Senator Bam Aquino stressed that the government must allocate sufficient funds to PhilHealth, government hospitals, and the Department of Health (DOH) to provide free health services for Filipinos.
“Mas magandang solusyon na talaga ay gawin na talagang libre. Pondohan iyong Philhealth, pondohan iyong DOH, pondohan iyong ating government hospitals para hindi ka kinakabahan kapag nagpunta ka sa isang government hospital,” Aquino said during a radio interview.
“Iyan ang universal healthcare. Lahat sinasagot ng gobyerno,” he added.
Aquino emphasized that this approach would alleviate the burden on Filipinos, sparing them from worrying about hospitalization bills or waiting in line for financial assistance or guarantee letters from government agencies and politicians.
“Dapat automatic na libre. Iyon dapat ang hangarin natin. Hindi ka na kailangang pumila sa mga pulitika. Hindi mo na kailangang sumipsip kaninuman. Iyong tulong na para sa iyo, diretsong ibibigay sa iyo,” he said.
Aside from healthcare, Aquino said the government must also provide ample funding for other services, such as education and assistance to underprivileged Filipinos.
“Habang lumalaki ang budget, dapat napupunta ito sa mga mahalaga sa tao. Edukasyon, kalusugan at tulong sa mahihirap,” he said.
Meanwhile, Aquino called for amendments to the Rice Tariffication Law, insisting it has failed to achieve its intention of reducing rice prices in the market through importation.
“Kailangan siyang i-amend. Right now, it’s about policy. Pinapayagan natin ang napakaraming imported na bigas, hindi naman natin nakukuha iyong gusto natin diyan na bumaba ang presyo,” he explained.
Instead of focusing on importation, Aquino said the government must focus on providing sufficient support for local farmers to boost their productivity.° (PR)
