Lakas-Kampi-CMD presidential bet Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. demands a universal Philhealth system that would encompass all Filipino citizens and permanent residents in the country and based on the
capability to pay for health insurance of every citizen. The former Secretary of Defense explained that this participative scheme, in which all Filipino citizens will benefit from Philhealth based on their ability to pay, is the better option than raising taxes to implement a government-subsidized expanded health care program.
Gibo pointed out during the presidential forum organized by the Foreign Correspondents of the Philippines, that” institutionalizing a participative health care scheme with universal coverage” would be among his first five priorities in his first 100 days in office if chosen to be the next President of country. The presidentiable also said during the presidential forum held at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Manila that besides health care, educational reforms, which comprise the institutionalization of a student loan program; ensuring the continuity of long-term infrastructure initiatives with the end in view of seamless interconnecting the country’s ports and seaports; an honest-to-goodness assessment of the country’s peace and order agenda; and the strict and full implementation of pro-environment programs will be among his top priorities in his first 100 days as President.
According to Gibo, the first order of the day would be to name the members of his Cabinet to make his priority agenda possible. Health care is one major policy of Gibo’s “Sulong Pilipinas” program of government that also includes education reform, continuity of the public infrastructure build-up, environmental protection, food security and a non-compromising stand against crime and terrorism.
Gibo also said that besides implementing a participative health care system, the government should also modify the ability of the country’s barangay health workers and regularize proceedings for cautionary health care at the local level. World Health Organization (WHO) standards set the ideal spending for health care at 5% of a country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which Gibo said couldn’t be realized in a developing country like the Philippines.
“Hence, our health care system should be participative, meaning to say, whether one is rich or poor, he or she should be covered based on ability to pay,” Gibo said during the anniversary program at the city gymnasium.
