The office of Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Monday facilitated the release of millions worth of medical assistance, via guarantee letters, for indigent patients at the Philippine Children’s Medical Center (PCMC) in Quezon City.

The assistance was distributed during the first town hall meeting attended by Romualdez, where he spoke on issues related to treatment, care and other problems confronting pediatric and adult cancer patients, their parents and health practitioners.

“The care and medication of a cancer patient is among the most financially taxing things that a family can experience. It is even more difficult if children are involved. Through this medical assistance, we hope to somehow ease the burden on these families and give them hope,” he said.

During the event, 30 cancer patients who participated in the town hall meeting were each given guarantee letters that will provide them PHP50,000 under the Medical Assistance for Indigent Patients (MAIP) of the Department of Health (DOH), or a total of PHP1.5 million.

MAIP guarantee letters worth PHP30,000 each were also distributed to 176 admitted patients of PCMC, for a total of PHP5.28 million.

Additionally, 30 cancer patients also received PHP10,000 each in cash aid via the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program.

Romualdez said distribution of the assistance is in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s program to provide better health services to Filipinos.

“I sincerely thank President Marcos, DOH Secretary Dr. Ted Herbosa, and DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian for their kind-hearted intervention. Their assistance will literally end up saving lives,” he said.

Meanwhile, Romualdez assured that Monday’s town hall meeting, appropriately dubbed “Congress at Your Service-We listen, We Deliver”, is the start of a series of town hall meetings to hear the voices of the Filipino people.

“Sa pamamagitan nito, nalalaman natin ang kanilang mga pangangailangan, mga suliranin, at mga hamon sa buhay. Gusto nating maging bahagi ang town hall meeting na ito para imulat ang kamalayan ng mga Pilipino sa ating lipunan lalo na sa mga isyung pangkalusugan at kung paano natin ito dapat tugunan (Through this, we will find out first hand their needs, their problems, and the challenges they face in life. We want this town hall meeting to be a tool in opening the consciousness of Filipinos, especially to the health issues faced by society and how we will address them),” he said.

The House leader’s participation in the town hall meeting is also expected to place the lower chamber in a better position to respond to cancer treatment- and care-related issues in terms of legislation moving forward.

Also present during the town hall meeting were Representatives Franz Pumaren of Quezon City, Janette Garin of Iloilo, Jude Acidre of Tingog Party-list and Bong Teves of TGP Party-list, as well as Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte. (PNA)