MalasakitatBayanihan

HOUSE PANEL ADOPTS MOTION URGING RECALL OF EO 116; CONGRESSWOMAN VELOSO CALLS FOR MALASAKIT FOR HOG FARMERS

The House Committee on Agriculture and Food approved and adopted a motion appealing to the Executive Department to recall Executive Order No. 116, which increased the Minimum Access Volume (MAV) for pork imports, following discussions on its impact on the local hog industry.

The hearing focused on the state of the country’s hog industry and the continuing challenges faced by local producers as they recover from the effects of African Swine Fever (ASF), which significantly reduced swine populations and affected the livelihoods of many hog raisers nationwide.

During the hearing, Congresswoman Girlie Veloso emphasized the importance of strengthening the local hog industry and expanding domestic production capacity to meet the country’s pork requirements.

“Ultimately, our long-term objective should be to strengthen and empower the local hog industry so that we become less dependent on imports and more capable of meeting our own domestic demand,” Veloso said.

Veloso likewise appealed to the Executive Department to extend greater support to Filipino hog raisers who continue to rebuild their livelihoods following the ASF outbreak.

“Ito po ang gusto kong sabihin sa ating Executive Department, na mahanap ninyo sa inyong puso ang totoo at tunay na malasakit para sa ating mga hog farmers who continue to recover and rebuild,” Veloso said, referring to the continuing recovery of the sector from the effects of African Swine Fever (ASF).

The hearing highlighted continuing concerns over the recovery of the local swine industry and the need to strengthen domestic agricultural production as part of the country’s long-term food security efforts.

CONGRESSWOMAN VELOSO SEEKS PATIENT-CENTERED DATA TO MEASURE REAL IMPACT OF UHC

During today’s hearing of the Subcommittee on the Universal Health Care Act, Congresswoman Girlie Veloso participated in discussions with the Department of Health (DOH), PhilHealth, and other health sector stakeholders, where agencies presented updates on UHC implementation, health financing, benefit expansion, service delivery, and healthcare system performance. During the hearing, Veloso emphasized the need for more patient-centered data to complement the financing, utilization, and implementation indicators presented by the agencies.

While acknowledging the progress reported by both DOH and PhilHealth, Veloso noted that Congress must also understand how UHC is being experienced by ordinary Filipinos, particularly those seeking care in public health facilities.

Among the key issues raised by Veloso was the distinction between authorized bed capacity and operational bed capacity in government hospitals. She requested data showing where hospital beds remain authorized by law but cannot be fully utilized due to workforce, funding, equipment, or other operational constraints.

The lawmaker also sought more detailed information on the actual financial protection being provided to patients under UHC. She requested data on average hospital bills, PhilHealth payments, and the remaining out-of-pocket expenses incurred by patients across major disease categories.

Veloso further called for data on the percentage of patients who are discharged under true Zero Balance Billing and those who continue to leave hospitals with remaining balances despite existing government assistance mechanisms.

Recognizing the continuing role of Malasakit Centers in helping patients navigate healthcare expenses, she also requested information on how many patient balances are ultimately resolved through Malasakit Centers and the extent to which these centers continue to bridge gaps in financial protection.

The hearing likewise covered several proposed reforms and policy directions raised by various stakeholders and members of the Committee. Discussions included the continued expansion of PhilHealth benefit packages, with observations that stronger benefit support can encourage private sector participation and service expansion, particularly in areas such as dialysis where increased coverage has contributed to the growth of dialysis facilities and service providers.

Participants also discussed physician professional fees, the sustainability of healthcare financing, the role of private providers within the UHC framework, and the need to continue strengthening service delivery networks.

Several discussions emphasized that healthcare financing should not be viewed solely through the lens of inpatient hospitalization. Stakeholders highlighted the growing importance of outpatient services, preventive care, diagnostics, medicines, chronic disease management, and primary care interventions as the health system continues to shift toward earlier detection and prevention of illness.

The hearing also touched on health workforce deployment, health facility development, fraud prevention mechanisms, interoperability and electronic medical records, provider payment reforms, and efforts to reduce out-of-pocket spending while expanding access to healthcare services nationwide.

Veloso stressed that Congress must evaluate outcomes from the perspective of Filipino patients. She added that patient-centered data would help Congress determine whether UHC investments are translating into better health outcomes, stronger financial protection, and more equitable access to care for all Filipinos.

: Sandro Gonzalez is from Marino Party-List, not Malasakit@Bayanihan Partylist.

Therefore, the ₱4.12 billion allocation shown in this graphic should not be attributed to Malasakit@Bayanihan, as our party-list receives no such allocation.

Please verify information carefully before sharing.

OVER 1,200 PWDs, SOLO PARENTS, AND YOUTH BENEFICIARIES RECEIVE AICS ASSISTANCE

Carcar City, Cebu — More than 1,200 beneficiaries from the persons with disabilities (PWD), solo parent, and youth sectors received assistance under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program during an activity held on May 28, 2026, at the Perrelos Gym.

The initiative provided much-needed support to qualified beneficiaries facing financial difficulties, helping ease the burden of daily expenses and other immediate needs amid rising costs of food, transportation, electricity, and other basic necessities. Recent data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that inflation in the Province of Cebu accelerated to 12.9 percent in April 2026, placing additional pressure on household budgets across the province.

Prior to the release of assistance, Congresswoman Girlie Veloso met with beneficiaries from different communities as Malasakit@Bayanihan Partylist facilitated the processing of beneficiary requests and the coordination of documentary requirements, helping qualified applicants access available government assistance programs.

The activity reflects continuing efforts to make social assistance programs more accessible, particularly to sectors that often face additional economic and social challenges. For many beneficiaries, the assistance serves as timely support that can help address urgent concerns and provide relief during difficult circumstances.

Malasakit@Bayanihan Partylist continues to advocate for responsive and people-centered government programs that ensure vulnerable sectors receive the support they need, when they need it most.

🌙✨ On this blessed occasion of Eid’l Adha, Malasakit@Bayanihan Partylist joins our Muslim brothers and sisters in celebrating a faith rooted in sacrifice, compassion, obedience, and service to others.

🤝 May this sacred day remind us that true malasakit and bayanihan are born when communities choose mercy over division, generosity over indifference, and humanity over selfishness.

🕌 Eid Mubarak to all our Muslim brothers and sisters. May peace, blessings, and hope fill your homes and hearts always. 🤍

INQUIRY ON IMPLEMENTATION OF HOSPITAL BED-CAPACITY LAWS TAKEN UP BY HOUSE HEALTH PANEL

Today, May 25, the House Committee on Health took up House Resolution No. 755 seeking an inquiry into the implementation of hospital bed-capacity increases mandated under various Republic Acts, alongside deliberations on several hospital expansion and healthcare access measures.

During the hearing, members of the Committee discussed broader implementation concerns surrounding the operationalization of hospital expansion laws, including phased funding releases, hospital development planning, staffing requirements, and the gap that may exist between legally authorized hospital capacities and actual operational healthcare capacity available to patients on the ground.

Among the measures discussed alongside the inquiry were proposals institutionalizing healthcare proxy systems and “Right to Care” mechanisms, the proposed conversion of the Salvacion Oppus Yñiguez Memorial Provincial Hospital into the Southern Leyte Medical Center, the renaming of the Region I Medical Center, and the establishment of a multi-specialty center in Cagayan.

Congresswoman Girlie Veloso joined the deliberations and expressed support for the Committee’s continuing efforts to strengthen healthcare access, hospital capacity, and implementation oversight, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that hospital expansion measures and healthcare reforms ultimately translate into accessible and functioning healthcare services for communities, especially in geographically isolated and underserved areas.

HOUSE HEALTH TWG CHAIRED BY CONGRESSWOMAN GIRLIE VELOSO TACKLES KEY ETHICAL AND POLICY ISSUES IN ORGAN DONATION REFORM

The Technical Working Group (TWG) of the House Committee on Health on Thursday conducted extensive deliberations on several measures seeking to strengthen and modernize the country’s organ and tissue donation and transplantation system, including House Bill No. 6777 authored by Congresswoman Girlie Enriquez Veloso.

The meeting covered House Bills Nos. 503, 2226, 2517, 4287, 6777, and 7293, all seeking to update the country’s transplantation framework under Republic Act No. 7170, or the “Organ Donation Act of 1991.”

In her opening remarks as Chairperson of the TWG, Congresswoman Veloso emphasized that the country’s existing transplantation law was enacted decades before the current sophistication of transplant medicine, modern ethical safeguards, integrated donor systems, and updated international standards on organ donation and transplantation. She stressed that the challenge before the TWG was not only to modernize the legal framework, but also to build a transplantation system grounded on science, ethics, public trust, and a culture that encourages Filipinos to voluntarily donate.

“Our challenge is not merely to make organ donation workable, but to make it trusted, honorable, and aspirational by building a system so ethical, protective, and transparent that participation becomes a source of national and individual pride rather than fear or vulnerability,” Veloso said.

Instead of discussing the bills section by section, the TWG structured its deliberations around four major policy issues identified by the Committee: the consent framework for organ donation; financial and material remuneration for donors and their families; evidence-based determination of death; and public education and information campaigns.

The TWG also heard comments and recommendations from representatives of the Department of Health, PhilHealth, Department of Education, medical specialty societies, transplant experts, ethics committees, hospitals, and other stakeholders invited by the Committee.

Our sincere gratitude to PAMET, PASMETH, the Professional Regulatory Board for Medical Technology, our fellow lawmakers, and all stakeholders for their partnership and support as the substitute bill modernizing the Medical Technology profession moves forward in the House of Representatives.

This marks one important step closer toward the long-overdue modernization of the profession, but there is still much work ahead. We remain committed to working with all stakeholders as the measure continues through the legislative process.

A milestone moment for the Medical Technology profession 🇵🇭

The Medical Technology Bill moves forward following its approval during the initial deliberation and consideration of House Bill Nos. 131, 822, 2071, 3854, 4602 and 4607 of the Committee on Civil Service and Professional Regulation of the House of Representatives led by its Chairperson Hon. Laarni Lavin Roque.

A collective step forward in strengthening the future of Filipino Medical Technologists.

In the photo:
Hon. Julius Cesar Vergara (Representative - 3rd District Nueva Ecija and Committee Vice Chairperson);
Hon. Leila Lany Florento (representing the Professional Regulatory Board for Medical Technology and Technical Committee for Medical Technology Education);
Hon. Laarni Lavin Roque (Representative - 4th District, Bukidnon and Committee Chairperson)
Ms. Evangeline Castillo (Treasurer; representing PAMET);
Hon. Girlie Veloso (Representative - Malasakit@Bayanihan Party List and Sponsor)
Mr. Mark Raymund Nava (Executive Secretary; representing PAMET and PASMETH)

Also present, but not in the picture, are representatives of various stakeholders invited as resource persons.

HOUSE PANEL APPROVES SUBSTITUTE BILL ON MODERNIZING MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY LAW

The House Committee on Civil Service and Professional Regulation on Wednesday approved the substitute bill consolidating measures seeking to modernize the practice of medical technology and medical laboratory science in the Philippines, including House Bill No. 4607 authored by Congresswoman Girlie Enriquez Veloso.

The substitute measure was approved subject to style, revisions, and comments from concerned house members and resource persons, with the committee report likewise adopted during the hearing. Members present were also made co-authors of the approved substitute bill.

In sponsoring her measure, Congresswoman Veloso underscored the vital role of medical laboratory scientists in the country’s healthcare system, stressing that laboratory results remain central to clinical decision-making.

“Let us remember that seventy percent of all clinical decisions are based on laboratory results. When we neglect the medical laboratory scientists, we neglect the accuracy of our diagnoses and the very health of the Filipino people,” Veloso said.

The proposed “New Philippine Medical Technology Act” seeks to modernize the country’s decades-old medical technology law by expanding the scope of practice to include emerging fields such as molecular diagnostics, bioinformatics, biobanking, and digital health, while also strengthening professional standards and protections for medical technologists.

The Committee also approved measures covering the proposed Audiology and Audiometry Act and the Comprehensive Chemical Engineering Law. Members present during the hearing were likewise made co-authors of the approved bills.

MALASAKIT@BAYANIHAN SUPPORTS MEDICAL MISSION IN ARGAO; OVER 270 EYEGLASSES DISPENSED

Argao, Cebu — The Malasakit@Bayanihan Partylist supported a Capitol-led medical mission in Argao, Cebu, in partnership with the Cebu Provincial Government, where over 270 eyeglasses were dispensed to beneficiaries.

The activity formed part of a broader Capitol-led medical and surgical mission under Gov. Pam Baricuatro aimed at bringing essential health services closer to communities.

The outreach was conducted across two venues—the Isidro C. Kintanar Memorial Hospital, where medical and surgical services were provided, and the Sec. Serge Remonde Sports and Cultural Center, where other community-based health services were delivered.

Malasakit@Bayanihan’s participation focused on the provision of eyeglasses, addressing a practical but often overlooked need that directly affects daily life, work, and mobility.

Congresswoman Girlie Veloso emphasized the importance of including basic but high-impact services in community health efforts.

The initiative reflects continuing collaboration across partners to strengthen accessible and responsive healthcare services, ensuring that support reaches those most in need.