Roque: Providing free health services a state obligation

MANILA, Philippines — UniTeam senatorial candidate Harry Roque said he would ensure the full implementation of the Universal Health Care (UHC) law once elected to the Senate.

He stressed that providing free health services is a state obligation.

Roque said that when he was a student in England, he was provided two months’ worth of medicine and paid only £1.50 while all his medical tests were free.

He said he thought this experience would not be possible in the Philippines as England is a rich country until Thailand, an upper-middle-income state, implemented “zero billing” in health services.

“It’s not true that only a rich nation can provide free health services to the people. Thailand was able to do it. The Philippines can do it, too,” he said in Filipino.

Roque, author of the Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Act when he served as a party-list representative in the House of Representatives, said all Filipinos should have “zero billing” in health services.

He pointed out that seven out of 10 Filipinos die without being able to go to the hospital because of financial constraints.

“It’s such a big tragedy. That’s the reason why I pushed for the Universal Health Care law,” Roque said.

He added he would take all the necessary steps to provide good health to all Filipinos.

Meanwhile, reelectionist Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian will seek to accelerate the installation of reliable internet connections in all public schools as blended learning will still be part of the new normal even after the pandemic.

Gatchalian said he would pursue the enactment of the Satellite-Based Technologies for Internet Connectivity Act of 2021 (Senate Bill 2250) to ensure reliable internet connections.

He noted that the proposed measure would expand access to satellite-based technologies as an alternative solution to ensure universal access to the internet.

Padilla pushes GRMC, climate change policy

On the other hand, senatorial candidate Minguita Padilla is in favor of adopting better climate change policies and teaching good manners and right conduct to children.

She, however, expressed opposition to the criminalization of abortion and lowering the age of criminal liability.

Padilla said if she gets elected as a senator, she would support courses of action that would mitigate the impact of climate change in the country, including the normalization of work-from-home schemes that could help reduce air pollution, especially in Metro Manila.

Padilla is running under the ticket of presidential candidate Panfilo Lacson and his running mate Senate President Vicente Sotto III.

Between GRMC courses and offering a Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program, Padilla said she favors the teaching of good manners, especially among the youth.

Monsour del Rosario endorsed

Former foreign affairs secretary Albert del Rosario endorsed yesterday the senatorial candidacy of his nephew, taekwondo world champion, Olympian and former Makati congressman Monsour del Rosario, in the May 9 elections.

“Please vote for my nephew Monsour. He brought recognition to his country and his people. Monsour accomplished what many didn’t. He dedicated himself to hard legislative work,” the former US diplomat told the Pandesal Forum.

“He is without a doubt a humble fighter, achiever and one who has worked very hard in his life. I really vouch for his integrity and I stand beside him,” Del Rosario, who served as DFA chief during the presidency of Noynoy Aquino, declared via Zoom message.