Trillanes earmarks over P240-M for health care

Reelectionist Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV has set aside over P240 million of his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) for medical assistance and hospital rehabilitation across the country since he started receiving the allocation for lawmakers' special projects in 2010 under the Aquino administration.

Trillanes, a staunch critic of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who is now detained for a plunder case, did not receive the PDAF during the term of the former leader, but still managed to provide help to those needing medical attention.

"Every citizen of this country should have access to our healthcare system. Indigent patients should not be made to wait and suffer just because they don't have the means to pay," said Trillanes, who is running under Team PNoy said.

He added: "Even though I was not given the PDAF by the GMA regime, we found ways to help our people. It did not stop me from fulfilling my duty to the people."

During the 15th Congress, Trillanes co-authored the Universal Health Care Act that mandates all citizens of the country to be covered by the National Health Insurance Program.

Trillanes also filed bills that seek to give tax credit to physicians rendering pro bono services, establish a national cancer center to be known as the Philippine National Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Fund, raise the salaries of medical doctors, and establish an infant mortality program to reduce the rate of infant deaths in the country, among others.