Latest news with #FerdinandMarcosJr.
GMA Network
a day ago
- Health
- GMA Network
Gov't expands free medical access, raises kidney transplant coverage to P2.1M
The government is ramping up efforts to improve healthcare access and reduce the financial burden on Filipino families, beginning with the rollout of PhilHealth's expanded benefit package for kidney transplant patients. Coverage has now increased from ?600,000 to ?2.1 million per transplant, alongside expanded support for dialysis and maintenance care. In a Malacañang press briefing on June 19, officials announced the nationwide implementation of the enhanced benefit package for adult and pediatric post-kidney transplant patients. The briefing also highlighted the continuing rollout of the Konsulta program, which offers free medical consultations, laboratory tests, and medicines in schools and communities. During President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s visit to the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI), he personally witnessed the launch of the new benefit scheme and emphasized the administration's focus on strengthening both treatment and preventive healthcare. Dialysis coverage has also been raised to nearly ?1 million per patient, and the benefit now includes essential maintenance medicines and laboratory tests—previously heavy expenses for patients and their families. 'Hatid namin ang bagong benepisyong naglalayong ipagpatuloy ang alagang PhilHealth para sa mga pasyenteng sumailalim na ng kidney transplantation,' said PhilHealth President and CEO Dr. Edwin Mercado. (We bring this new benefit aimed at continuing PhilHealth's care for patients who have undergone kidney transplantation.) 'Nais natin ang isang normal at matiwasay na buhay para sa lahat sa kabila ng anumang karamdaman.' (We want a normal and peaceful life for everyone, despite any illness.) Mercado explained that the benefit expansion is backed by PhilHealth's annual financial planning. 'Mayroon po kaming taunang sini-set aside na kung tawagin po namin ay Corporate Operating Budget,' he said. (We annually set aside what we call the Corporate Operating Budget.) 'Ang amin pong estima ay hindi naman po ganoon kalakihan kaya po ito'y kayang-kayang punan ng amin pong benefit package budget po for this year.' (Our estimate is that this won't be overly costly, so it can easily be covered by our benefit package budget for the year.) Meanwhile, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa acknowledged the growing number of chronic kidney disease (CKD) cases in the country, including among children. 'Tama iyan ano, mayroon ding bata na nakita si Presidente kanina doon sa dialysis center,' he said. (That's right, the President even saw a child today at the dialysis center.) He added, 'Ang CKD natin ngayon karamihan dahil sa diabetes at hypertension... inatasan ako na palakasin iyong primary care prevention part.' (Most CKD cases now are due to diabetes and hypertension... the President has instructed me to strengthen primary care prevention.) Herbosa also noted the need for lifestyle changes among Filipino youth. 'Sabi niya nga, mataas siguro iyong sugar content ng ating mga kinakain... iyong ating mga kabataan mabigyan ng tamang ehersisyo or active.' (He said maybe our food has too much sugar... our youth need proper exercise and an active lifestyle.) The Department of Health is expected to roll out more preventive health programs in the coming months as part of the administration's broader push for stronger, community-based healthcare.—LDF, GMA Integrated News
The Star
a day ago
- Business
- The Star
Killing of P200 pay hike bill also kills bid for living wage in Philippines
MANILA: To have a basic but decent standard of living, a local think tank stressed the need for a P1,217 (US$21) living wage in Metro Manila, where most workers are compelled to make do with a minimum wage of P608 to P645. Outside Metro Manila, the minimum wage is also way lower than the P872 to P2,030 living wage, which Ibon Foundation computed based on the government's wage and inflation data. This was the reason that the proposed P100 or P200 wage hike would have been an important step toward a living wage, not only in Metro Manila but all over the Philippines, the think tank said. It pointed this out as 'minimum wage earners will feel immediate benefits and should be able to look forward to a living wage that actually raises their families' standard of living to a decent level.' But since the 19th Congress ended without the Senate and House of Representatives agreeing on how much the wage hike should be, workers will not have anything to expect, not even P50. The P100 wage hike proposal in the Senate was approved last year, Feb 19, while the House of Representatives approved its bill, proposing a P200 wage hike, on June 5. It would have been the first legislated wage hike since 1989, when the Wage Rationalization Act was signed and created the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards. But Senate President Francis 'Chiz' Escudero said House Bill No. 11376 and Senate Bill No. 2534 were not a priority of the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council. Last year, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., declining to certify the bills as urgent, asked the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards to initiate a review of minimum wages. The regional boards in Metro Manila, Cordillera Administrative Region and Mimaropa, among others, approved wage hikes, but only worth P35 to P40, effective last year. 'As pointed out by the government's economic managers, an across-the-board wage hike could have 'dangerous repercussions' on the economy, saying that it could lead to higher inflation, and even jobless rates. They stated on June 11, a few days after the House of Representatives approved its bill, that a P200 increase could raise inflation by two percentage points, while a P100 hike may lead to an increase of 0.7 percentage points. Likewise, they estimated that a P200 wage hike would lead to a 0.6 percentage points increase in joblessness, and a 0.2 percentage points increase if the wage hike is P200. This, as MSMEs, or micro, small and medium enterprises, which constitute over 90 per cent of all businesses, and who considerably depend on minimum wage workers, 'may struggle.' The proposed wage hike, they said, may lead, as well, to higher production costs, which could result in higher prices that may disproportionately affect low-income households. But for Ibon Foundation, the government can intervene if it is concerned about MSMEs that could not shell out an additional P2,000 to P4,000 for every worker a month. It said 'contrary to government misgivings and employer complaints, a P200 wage hike is feasible and takes up just a small portion of company profits: 11.1 percent for large; 9.1 per cent for medium, and 12.9 per cent for small businesses.' A wage hike of P200 would be 15 per cent of the profit of micro businesses. Ibon Foundation stressed that any large increase in minimum wage would bring 'substantial relief to wage earners and their families by increasing the households' purchasing power.' 'Wage hikes also help boost the informal economy, where workers spend their earnings, and overall they are a strong driver of economic activity and more inclusive growth,' it said. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
GMA Network
a day ago
- Business
- GMA Network
ERC launches probe into Siquijor power crisis
The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) on Thursday announced that it is conducting a formal inquiry into the power crisis in the island province of Siquijor. In a statement, the ERC said it asked the Province of Siquijor Electric Cooperative Inc. (PROSIELCO), S.I. Power Corporation (SIPCOR) and the National Power Corporation (NPC) to appear and provide explanations at a public hearing scheduled for July 3. The regulator said it is reviewing the compliance of PROSIELCO and SIPCOR with their respective Power Supply Agreements (PSAs) with contracted capacity of 9.5 megawatts (MW), which the ERC said 'should be sufficient to meet the peak demand in Siquijor.' 'The investigation was prompted by reports received by the Commission regarding frequent and prolonged power outages across Siquijor, which have disrupted economic activities and affected the welfare of residents, businesses, and tourists in the province,' the ERC said. The provincial government of Siquijor, through its Sangguniang Panlalawigan, earlier this month declared a state of calamity due to the worsening power crisis, as residents have been facing rotational brownouts since May 13, 2025. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. inspected the SIPCOR power plant in the province last week and directed an investigation into SIPCOR's operations amid the ongoing power issues. He added that he was open to the possibility of having another power provider in the province. 'In calling for this public inquiry, the commission is determined to find long-term solutions to the power reliability issues experienced by the province and ensure that contractual commitments are delivered and services are improved moving forward,' said ERC chairperson and CEO Monalisa Dimalanta. The ERC said, during its technical inspection last month, it observed several operational and regulatory deficiencies in the generation facilities and distribution lines in the province. 'These deficiencies include inadequate preventive maintenance, lack of fuel inventory, operating without required safety certifications and plant certificate of compliance, and the use of rental generators without permits,' it said. 'The Commission also noted the use of improper sectionalizing equipment and delays in infrastructure relocation on the distribution side,' it added. Over the weekend, the National Electrification Administration (NEA) said it had successfully restored power in Siquijor. —VBL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
2 days ago
- Business
- GMA Network
Marcos to leave for World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is set to visit the World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan and attend business meetings, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said Wednesday. 'President to leave for Osaka, Japan for World Expo and business meetings,' PCO said. The PCO has yet to announce the specific departure date of the President, as well as other details. The World Expo 2025 was opened to the public on April 13. The Department of Tourism said over 40,000 people visited the Philippine Pavilion in just nine days. GMA Integrated News' Katrina Son earlier reported that the Pavilion, named "Woven," draws inspiration from traditional Filipino weaving techniques to symbolize the interconnectedness of the nation's heritage and aspirations. The centerpiece 'Dancing with Nature' also brings visitors to the 'living elements of the natural world.' The World Expo will run until October 13, 2025.—Mariel Celine Serquiña/LDF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
4 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Marcos orders prompt aid to Pinoys affected by Israel-Iran missile strikes
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday ordered concerned government agencies to provide immediate support to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) affected by the recent Israel-Iran missile strikes. 'Ang direktiba ng Pangulo sa DFA, DMW at OWWA ay bilisan ang tulong sa ating mga kababayan. No one is left behind. 'Yun ang tagubilin ng Pangulong Marcos Jr,' Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro said. (The President directed the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to immediately help our countrymen. No one is left behind. That's the instruction of the President.) She added that the DMW and OWWA were directed to ensure the safety and well-being of OFWs affected by the tension in the Middle East. Castro noted that the concerned agencies are on heightened alert and prepared to give assistance to the OFWs in Israel and Iran. She also said the DFA has a contingency plan should repatriation from Iran be needed. Meanwhile, the Philippine government deployed a team to Israel to ensure the OFW's safety. In a 'Balitanghali' report on Monday, one of the four injured Filipinos is in 'critical' condition after Iran launched missile attacks in Israel. Two of them were already discharged from the hospital, while the other is still recovering. Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the Philippine government is sheltering 14 Filipinos in Rehovot. Meanwhile, there have been no reports of Filipinos affected by the missile strikes in Iran. — BAP, GMA Integrated News
