When it comes to public service, I believe what is needed is not just hard work but persistent work. As a public servant myself, I have made it a commitment to always serve our kababayans to the best of my ability, in whatever capacity. That is why I have been steadily working not only inside but also outside the hallowed halls of the Senate to give our people the optimum service they deserve in exchange for the great trust they have granted me.
Last week, I participated in a series of Senate hearings where we discussed the appropriate actions or solutions for some of the most pressing issues in our country today.
As chair of the Senate Committee on Health, I was particularly invested in the discussions on proposals to amend the Universal Health Care Act and suspend the premium rate hike of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation. As I have made clear in my manifestation during that hearing, I believe it is apt to suspend the scheduled rate hike to not overburden our kababayans who have yet to recover from the grave impact of the pandemic. I also support the bills granting the country’s President the authority to suspend the scheduled increase in PhilHealth premium contribution rates.
In addition, I fully backed and co-authored my fellow senator Sherwin Gatchalian’s proposed measure that aims to establish Mental Health and Well-Being Centers in every public school. This is parallel to my Senate Bill 1786, which seeks to mandate public higher education institutions to establish Mental Health Offices.
We cannot afford to overlook the mental health problems of our fellow Filipinos, especially our youth. The keen urgency for us to act now is even more apparent in light of the recent report from the Department of Education that of the 28 million student population in public schools in 2021, 404 committed suicide, and 2,147 others attempted to take their own lives.
Every life is precious and deserves to be protected. Tragically, one of our migrant workers who was just diligently trying to make a living abroad for her family was brutally killed in Kuwait. Following the repatriation of her remains, I visited the wake of our OFW Jullebee Ranara and expressed my condolences to her family on 30 January. Our former president Rodrigo Duterte has likewise extended his sympathies to the family and we have both committed to providing them with separate assistance. I know that nothing can ever compensate for the loss of Ranara but, together with her family, I pray that justice will eventually be served and policies will be strengthened to protect the lives and rights of Filipinos — wherever in the world.
Last week, I personally checked on the situation and aided families affected by recent fire incidents — 500 individuals from Quiapo, Manila City; 72 families in Valenzuela City; 237 more in Navotas City which I visited with Senator Robin Padilla; 300 in Molo District, Iloilo City; 118 in Cebu City; and 197 in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.
On 2 February, I was in Bataan for the ceremonial turnover of National Housing Authority units in Orion, particularly for fire victims I earlier aided in 2019, and a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Super Health Center in Mariveles. In Limay, I attended the groundbreaking of its Oval Sports facility, inspected the town’s view deck and evacuation center, and the barangay hall of Brgy. Wawa — facilities. In all three towns, I also led the distribution activities for their indigents — 216 in Orion, 307 in Mariveles, and 500 in Limay.
That same day, my team in Mindanao went to Sarangani, Davao Occidental to distribute assistance to 300 indigents and witness the groundbreaking of the Super Health Center, and the turnover of sea ambulance by the Department of Health for the island town.
Two days later, I flew to Davao City for the inauguration and turnover of the multipurpose building in Barangay Mapula, Paquibato District. I also assisted 250 residents before heading to Davao de Oro for the groundbreaking of the Compostela SHC and led the aid distribution for 500 of the town’s indigents.
When I say “bisyo ko po ang magserbisyo”, I always try my best to live by it and never shy away from being able to serve as I am always thankful for having been entrusted with the opportunity to help uplift the lives of our people.
Following the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 recently signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., I am even more confident that we will have precise guidance on how we can manage our country to overcome challenges, shape the future of our children, and make a positive impact on the lives of all Filipinos towards providing them a safer and more comfortable life for all.