Legarda underscores mandate to provide quality healthcare services, adequate health workforce under Universal Health Care Act

Three-term Senator, now Deputy Speaker, Loren Legarda reminded today that the full implementation of the Universal Health Care Act mandates the regulation of the country’s health facilities and services and the support given to the healthcare workforce to enhance their capability to attend to the needs of the Filipino people.

“Now is the time, more than any other, when people require easy access to quality and affordable health care programs and services due to them. Two years after the approval of the Universal Health Care Act of 2019, many Filipinos are still in despair trying to gain access to the assistance intended for them and some are still suffering from the inequity in our healthcare system,” Legarda said.

Legarda: Support agriculture, promote urban farming to alleviate malnutrition, improve food security

“In the 2020 fourth quarter survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) in November, an estimated 4 million families experienced involuntary hunger or hunger due to lack of food to eat. This record gave us some relief because the previous survey results in September 2020 indicated 7.6 million affected families. However, the statistics is still alarming knowing that there are still 4 million families out there who do not have adequate food on their table,” Legarda said.

“Our country is abundant with natural resources if only we know how to source and utilize these properly. We have to provide our people with the kind of support that will have long-term effects to effectively reduce, if not eliminate, hunger and malnutrition in the country. Let us achieve food security through stronger support for agriculture and the promotion of urban farming,” Legarda said.

Legarda Hails Approval of Emergency Vaccine Procurement Bill on Third Reading

“Let us not prolong the agony of our people and help them have safer everyday life. We are in the midst of a pandemic and we cannot disregard the right of our people to have access to the COVID-19 vaccines that will not only save lives, but, will also save the country’s struggling economy,”Legarda concluded.

Legarda, Experts Call for Science-based Governance as PH makes Headway in Climate Action but fails in other SDGs

House Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda, speaking at the first session of the Future Earth Philippines Regional Workshop for Visayas today, called for stronger science-based governance as the Philippines remains on track in Climate Action under Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13, but could be failing in its pursuit of other SDGs.
“We need to undertake science-based and risk-informed action and investment planning. This is crucial for all our local government units (LGUs) that are at the forefront of the preparation and implementation […]

Legarda stressed need for stronger flood mitigation measures

“The country urgently needs effective and enduring flood mitigation measures to address its flood problem. The incessant heavy rains and the resulting floods not only affect the marginalized and vulnerable communities, but also businesses, government operations, trade and industry, the agriculture sector, and fisherfolk who would not be able to scour the seas for a bountiful catch due to the bad weather,” Legarda said.