President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to addressing hunger and expanding healthcare access, specifically responding to direct appeals from Filipino youth.
In his recent video blog (PBBMVLOG 283), President Marcos addressed concerns raised by young citizens regarding food security and medical assistance. While noting these issues were not explicitly detailed in his recent State of the Nation Address (SONA), the Chief Executive emphasized that public health and nutrition remain top government priorities.
“This is extremely important,” President Marcos said, acknowledging youth leaders who brought these critical issues to his attention. “No matter how successful or wealthy you are, if you are sick, your quality of life suffers. That is why the health of our youth and our citizens is a top priority.”
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Combating Hunger & Food Insecurity:
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Walang Gutom Program: Ongoing support to local government units to distribute 10-kilogram sacks of rice to vulnerable families up to six times a year.
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Targeted School Feeding Programs: Comprehensive food support for Kindergarten and Grade 1 pupils, alongside extended assistance for older students to ensure nutrition does not hinder their education.
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Expanded Healthcare & Financial Relief:
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Dialysis & Specialized Care: Substantially expanded PhilHealth coverage for dialysis patients—making treatments near-costless—as well as increased support for cancer, HIV/AIDS, and mental health care.
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Zero-Balance Billing: Strict implementation of zero-balance billing for patients in basic wards across all Department of Health (DOH) hospitals.
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Tax Relief on Essential Medicines: Value-Added Tax (VAT) exemptions on critical prescription medications to significantly reduce out-of-pocket healthcare costs.
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President Marcos assured the public that the administration will continue strengthening social safety nets and healthcare infrastructure to safeguard the well-being of the next generation.
