ALBAY 2nd District Representative Joey Sarte Salceda sounded the alarm over the surge of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) cases in the country, which have climbed to nearly 40,000 nationwide.
Salceda emphasized that many infectious diseases causing deaths today are preventable, provided the government guarantees access to vaccines and essential medicines.
“Preventable po lahat ito so may pagkukulang ang gobyerno bawat beses na may namamatay dahil sa mga sakit na ito,” Salceda said.
To address this, Salceda filed House Bill No. 4236, “An Act Ensuring the Continuous Availability of Essential Medicines, Vaccines, and Supplies for Notifiable Infectious Diseases of Public Health Importance in All Rural Health Units (RHUs), Providing Funds Therefor, and for Other Purposes.”
The measure seeks to institutionalize a system that guarantees that Rural Health Units across the country will always have sufficient stocks of medicines, vaccines, and medical supplies for HFMD, rabies, leptospirosis, and other infectious diseases of public health importance.
Salceda emphasized that this comes at a critical time.
“This is also the season when cases of leptospirosis, dengue, and other rainy-season diseases are on the rise. Families are already vulnerable. We cannot let preventable illnesses turn deadly just because medicines and vaccines are unavailable,” he warned.
Salceda pointed to his track record in public health when he was President of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) Albay, highlighting the success of a vaccine referral program.
“Noong may referral system po kami sa libreng rabies shots, we prevented deaths. Walang namatay sa rabies sa 3rd District noon. That proves na kapag tuloy tuloy ang supply ng bakuna at gamot, buhay ang naliligtas,” he said.
Beyond legislation, Salceda also committed to pursuing the necessary budget support for this initiative.
“I will make manifestations to Appropriations Chair Mika Suansing and Senate Finance Chair Sherwin Gatchalian to ensure there are clear provisions in the 2026 national budget for the continuous supply of essential vaccines and medicines. Kailangan siguraduhin na may pondo para dito, lalo na ngayong panahon ng HFMD, rabies, at leptospirosis.”
The Albay lawmaker, who now chairs the House Special Committee on Food Security, underscored that public health preparedness must go hand in hand with food and livelihood security.
“Filipino families should never have to lose a loved one to diseases that are fully preventable. HB 4236 is about making sure our health centers are always ready, not scrambling when outbreaks come,” Salceda concluded.
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