MALACAÑANG on Wednesday, October 10, expressed gratitude to the Senate for passing on third and final reading the landmark Universal Health Care bill that will grant Filipinos access to health care services.
"We thank the Senate for passing on third and final reading the landmark Universal Health Care Bill," Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said in a statement.
"The prioritization of the Universal Health Care Bill bespeaks of the Duterte Administration’s unrelenting commitment to provide the marginalized and disadvantaged with sufficient and better health care services," he added.
The Senate on Wednesday approved on third and final reading a measure that would entitle the Filipino people to universal health coverage.
Filipino residents can avail of primary health services and benefits under the National Health Secutiry program, once the proposed measure is signed into law.
The Senate's approval came following President Rodrigo Duterte's appeal to hasten the passage of the Universal Health Bill "to address the urgent need for an affordable, comprehensive, and quality health care program that is accessible to all Filipinos."
The House of Representatives passed its version of the bill on September 6, 2017.
Roque, a former Kabayan party-list representative who played a key role in pushing the measure at the House of Representatives, said the bill would be groundbreaking as it would give beneficiaries access to quality health services.
"On a personal level, the Universal Health Care Bill is close to me, for I was the principal author of the House version of the bill," Roque said.
"I consider this measure groundbreaking because beneficiaries will be entitled to health coverage simply by virtue of their citizenship as Filipinos," he added. (Ruth Abbey Gita/SunStar Philippines)