TINGOG Party-list Representative Jude Acidre is calling for a holistic and patient-centered approach to cancer care, one that brings treatment closer to families, provides financial support, and ensures no patient is left to navigate the healthcare system alone.
Speaking at the 2025 Philippine National Cancer Summit, Acidre stressed that improving cancer care in the Philippines requires more than just building hospitals—it demands a coordinated effort that prioritizes accessibility, affordability, and compassionate support at every stage of a patient’s journey.
“Fighting cancer is more than just medical treatment—it’s about making sure no Filipino faces this battle alone,” Acidre said during the panel discussion on “Collaborative Action for a Stronger Cancer Care Ecosystem: Moving Forward.”
*Bringing Cancer Care Closer to Communities*
Acidre highlighted the stark disparity in access between urban and rural areas, where many patients from the provinces face long and costly journeys just to receive specialized care.
“For many Filipinos, specialized cancer treatment is out of reach—either too far, too expensive, or too complicated to navigate,” he explained.
To address this, Tingog Party-list has actively supported the development of regional cancer centers, including the Benjamin T. Romualdez Cancer Center in Manila, and the Eastern Visayas Cancer Center in Tacloban, both aimed at decentralizing cancer care and reducing dependence on Metro Manila facilities.
“These are not just buildings—they represent a fundamental shift in how we deliver cancer care, ensuring that no Filipino is left behind,” Acidre said.
*Ensuring Treatment Without Financial Devastation*
Beyond accessibility, Acidre underscored the financial toll of cancer treatment, noting that for many families, a cancer diagnosis can lead to crushing debt or complete financial ruin.
“Cancer doesn’t just weaken the body—it can wipe out a family’s savings. This funding ensures that patients can focus on getting well without being burdened by overwhelming costs,” he said.
With strong support from House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, Tingog Party-list successfully pushed for the full funding of the Cancer Assistance Fund (CAF) in the 2024 and 2025 national budgets. The CAF helps cover diagnostics, treatment, and medicines—critical support for families who would otherwise have no way to afford specialized cancer care.
*Guiding Patients Every Step of the Way*
Acidre also stressed that patient navigation is just as important as treatment itself, particularly for families who find the healthcare system overwhelming and difficult to navigate.
Through Tingog’s network of 210 centers nationwide, the party-list helps connect cancer patients to medical assistance, specialist referrals, and government financial aid programs, ensuring they don’t have to find their way alone.
“We must make it easier for patients and their families to find the right care—not harder. Our goal is to ensure that no patient is lost in a system that should be working for them,” Acidre said.
Tingog’s cancer-related services through its centers include assistance with AICS medical aid applications, helping families secure diagnostic tests and treatment funding, and coordinating with regional cancer centers for faster referrals.
Beyond individual assistance, Tingog regularly partners with local governments, hospitals, and medical organizations to bring cancer screening directly to communities, particularly in remote areas where access to preventive care is limited.
*Investing in Prevention and Early Detection*
Acidre warned that late detection remains a silent killer, with many Filipinos discovering their illness only when it is already at an advanced stage.
“By investing in prevention and early diagnosis, we can significantly increase survival rates and reduce the burden of late-stage cancer cases,” he noted.
To support this, Tingog has actively backed community-based health missions that offer free cancer screenings for breast, cervical, and lung cancer, focusing especially on underserved communities. Tingog has also supported initiatives like Mission Leapfrog and Screen to Beat Lung Cancer, which bring proactive screening and early detection campaigns to areas where healthcare access is limited.
*Pushing for Faster Access to Innovative Treatments*
Acidre also underscored the need to shorten the gap between research and patient access when it comes to life-saving cancer drugs.
Tingog Party-list is strongly supporting the passage of the Pharmaceutical Innovation Act, a proposed measure aimed at streamlining clinical trials, cutting red tape in regulatory approvals, and accelerating the availability of innovative medicines for Filipino patients.
“The fight against cancer does not end at diagnosis. It requires access to the latest, most effective treatments—and that means ensuring Filipino patients don’t have to wait years to benefit from medical breakthroughs,” Acidre said.
The measure, if passed, would enhance public-private collaboration in pharmaceutical research while ensuring that innovative treatments remain affordable, giving cancer patients a real chance at better outcomes.
*A Call to Action: Making Cancer Care a Right, Not a Privilege*
Closing his message, Acidre called on health leaders, policymakers, and advocates to work together toward building a truly inclusive cancer care system, where access and quality care do not depend on wealth or location.
“This fight is not just about better hospitals or bigger budgets—it is about ensuring that every Filipino, regardless of their location or financial status, gets the care they deserve,” Acidre said.
He urged all sectors to commit to real and lasting action to make comprehensive cancer care not a privilege for a few, but a right for all.
“Tingog Party-list stands firm in this commitment—not just in policy, but in real action. But we cannot do it alone. We need everyone—leaders, healthcare providers, advocates, and survivors—to stand with us,” he concluded.
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