Probe into exclusion of cancer patients from city aid sought

CEBU , Philippines —  The exclusion of certain cancer patients from Cebu City's financial assistance was brought into discussion before the Cebu City Council after Councilor Mary Ann de los Santos questioned the current guidelines imposed.

De los Santos, during an executive session to shed light on the issue of selling of PWD Identification cards (ID) last Thursday, June 6, 2024, raised the concern of the exclusion of patients with stage 1 to 3 cancer.

While presenting the process flow of the application of PWD IDs, including who are qualified to apply for one and the corresponding financial assistance, Portia Basmayor, Department of Social Welfare and Services (DSWS) Officer-in-charge, noted that cancer patients are able to apply for the PWD ID.

According to Basmayor, those with PWD IDs registered from 2013 below could claim P12,000 annually.

But she clarified that only cancer patients with stage 4 and higher are entitled to get their financial aid.

De los Santos questioned this, asking who imposed the said regulation. Basmayor said it's based on the resolution of the city council in 2021.

Basmayor said she is also confused with the said guideline, saying that she already received complaints from patients with stage 1 to 3 cancer on their exclusion from the financial assistance.

“Kanus-a pa diay mi makadawat og PWD (cash assistance), kung mamatay nami? Or kung maabot na gyud mi anang stage four? How about kung stage two or stage one lang?” recalled Basmayor as one of the  complaints of the PWD member with cancer.

“Mao na siya ang magpatabang gyud ko sa inyoha ana,” she said to the council, hoping that the qualifications for cancer patients may be realigned.

Precious Bordalva, the program head of the PWD, further said that it has been the guidelines that they have been implementing ever since.

According to Bordalva, cancer patients from stage 1 to 3 belong to the categorization of Chronic Illnesses and hence do not have financial assistance.

Bordalva also clarified that she assumed the position of program head last March 2024 and this has been the system since she took over.

Acting Vice Mayor Donaldo Hontiveros, presiding officer, then read the citation of the resolution in 2021 moved by then councilor Alvin Dizon.

“To include cancer patients, living with cancer, cancer survivors in the issuance of persons with disability (PWD) identification cards in the city,” the citation noted, as read by Hontiveros.

But de los Santos said this citation did not specify the stages of cancer.

“Is it specific Mr. Chair in the ordinance? That you only cater to stage four? If not, then who are we to qualify that?” de los Santos questioned.

She added that regardless if the said system has been implemented, “everything should be anchored by law”.

Hontiveros further explained that they may have to find out who started imposing that only cancer patients with stage four and above would receive the financial assistance.

“We are talking about financial assistance, if the law does not qualify, or does not prohibit who are we to qualify and to prohibit it?” de los Santos further questioned.

Hontiveros then said that they could call for another executive session to tackle the matter thoroughly.

On the other hand, de los Santos said that the ordinance is “very clear”, adding that there is no need to conduct another executive session. She stressed that “cancer patients” is the term used in the ordinance which accordingly translates that regardless of what stage, the patient is a recipient of the financial assistance.

“You know how it takes and what entails to be a cancer patient? Even though you are a stage one cancer patient, you have to go through the process of chemotherapy,” said de los Santos.

While Hontiveros noted how important the benefit is, he insisted on conducting another executive session to discuss the matter thoroughly, adding that they have to invite a resource speaker that could address their questions.