Senator JV Ejercito said he wanted to return to the senate to monitor the progress of the Universal Health Care Law at a media conference on April 11.
Ejercito explained that the Universal Health Care Law would overhaul the healthcare system of the Philippines in the next ten years.
“Ang Universal Health Care kasi is intended to overhaul the whole healthcare system of the country kaya nga 10-year program ‘to. Kaya kahit pasado na ‘yung batas it’s a working progress. Kaya nga that is the reason why I would want to go back the senate para mabantayan ko ang implemenntation.”
He then discussed how he would implement the Universal Health Care Law once he returned to the senate.
“Malaki ang maitutulong nito it just has to be implemented properly. For example ang budget ng UHC P250 Billion for the implementation, ang naipapasa lang ay P170 Billion, kumbaga nasa low-end tayo. Kaya hindi natin makuha lahat. So sayang, otherwise ipaglalaban natin ‘yan.”
He also shared his motivations for pushing for Universal Health Care Law, highlighting the value of medical assistance to families in need.
“At that early age, I was able to immerse already with the ordinary Juan Dela Cruz at nakikita ko ‘yung problema kapag talagang mayroong may sakit sa pamilya. Lalo na nag- Mayor ako, lahat ng lumalapit sa akin is more of medical assistance. At napakabigat.
“So that is the reason probably why I really pushed for this Universal Health Care law when I had the chance and the opportunity to really sell it.
“‘Yung perang pinaghirapan, inipon, dapat magamit niya para sa kaniyang pamilya. Hindi dapat maubos sa isang pagkakasakit.”
He then cited some of the vulnerabilities of the Philippines’ current healthcare system, especially the lack of benefits for healthcare workers.
“Itong pandemic, lumabas din na they are really ano–sila na nga ‘yung foot soldiers natin, hindi pa nabibigay ng gobyerno ‘yung benepisyo, ‘yung mga privileges nila.
“Tingin ko if you can only increase a little bit ‘yung kanila pong compensation justly because they are our footsoldiers right now, mabigay ‘yung konting privileges, benefits, ‘yung kaunting pag-aruga ng gobyerno, PPEs, food allowances, they would chose to stay here than to be away.”
He also came to the defense of PhilHealth, noting that there are some hospitals, doctors, and PhilHealth employees conspiring to run a scam on the agency and its beneficiaries.
“Di rin naman kasi kasalanan PhilHealth ‘yan. Minsan it’s a condition. Minsan may mga hospitals, may mga doctors, and PhilHealth personnel that have conspired para pagsamantalahan ang pondo ng PhilHealth.
“For example ‘yung Cataract scam, siguro narinig ninyo na ‘yun, that caused hundreds of millions sa PhilHealth, na kahit hindi kailangan operahan sa katarata, inooperahan para maka-kolekta.
“Dapat talaga mayroong masampolan eh para magtanda. That is one of the problems of our country. Wala tayong big fish na naririnig or napapakulong.”
Ejercito admitted that there were blind spots in the governments’ information dissemination regarding the Universal Health Care Law.
“Marami pong COVID patients ang hindi nagbayad kasi sinagot ng PhilHealth because of the Universal HealthCare, so feeling ko hindi lang naintindihan lang ng iba ‘yan. Hindi rin po natin masisi kasi minsan pagkukulang ng gobyerno ‘yan na information dissemination na mismong mga empleyado ng ahensya hindi alam.”
He added the goals of the Universal Health Care Law in assisting indigents in need and Persons with Disabilities.
“Philhealth has to really work, kailangan talaga ayusin. So that will be extra, I think that will be extra expense kung makikipag member tayo sa mga HMO and others. Basta ang target natin ay ‘yung mga indigents lalo na ‘yung mga PWD’s na talagang they don’t have the capacity to pay the premium.”
Senator JV Ejercito was the principal author of the R.A. 11223 or the Universal Health Care Act. Incumbent President Rodrigo Duterte signed it into law on February 20, 2019.
He then shared the lessons he learned amid the pandemic while echoing his slogan.
“Live your life to the fullest, hindi po natin alam kung hanggang kailan tayo. Itong pandemic anything can happen, so kailangan i-enjoy lang. maging mabait, baka wala ka ng time makapagsisi at mag-improve, kaya dapat good ka lagi. Dapat Good One ka lagi.”
JV Ejercito recently secured the 12th slot for the senatorial candidates on Pulse Asia’s Magic 12 survey. He vowed to watch over the Universal Health Care Law and focus on housing and job security through infrastructure development if he gets reelected to the senate.
