PINANGUNAHAN ni Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez ngayong Martes ang pagpapasinaya sa isa na namang legacy project ng administrasyon ni Pangulong Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr.,— ang cancer center sa Lungsod ng Maynila na ipinangalan sa namayapang ama ng House Speaker.

“Your solidarity with the goal of the administration of President Marcos to leave behind a legacy of healthcare emboldens us to aspire for even higher goals,” ani Speaker Romualdez sa groundbreaking ng Gov. Benjamin Romualdez Cancer Center sa Ospital ng Maynila.

Pinuri ng lider ng Kamara de Representantes ang mga opisyal ng pamahalaan na tumulong sa pagpapatayo ng pasilidad sa pangunguna ni Manila Mayor Honey” Lacuña, at sinabi na sa lugar na ito, “even the poorest among us can access top-tier medical care without the fear of financial ruin.”

“The President’s vision is clear: no Filipino should have to choose between their health and their livelihood,” saad pa ng House Speaker. “The establishment of cancer centers, like the one we inaugurated, is a testament to President Marcos’ commitment to this cause.”

Pinasalamatan ni Speaker Romualdez ang iba pang opisyal sa katauhan ni Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan, at mga lider ng Kamara gaya ng asawa na si Rep. Yedda K. Romualdez, Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe, at House appropriations committee chair Zaldy Co, para maisakatuparan ang cancer center.

“I have first-hand knowledge on this (cancer), losing my father to this dreaded disease. Here and now, I commit to fully support the completion of this medical facility that bears his name,” ayon sa Speaker na sinabi rin na isa itong hakbang para sa katuparan ng pangako na dagdagan ang mga ospital.

Ito aniya ay pagtalima sa National Integrated Cancer Control Act (NICCA), o Republic Act (RA) No. 11215, na nilagdaan ng dating Pangulong Duterte at naging ganap na batas noong 2019 o tatlong taon matapos itong umupo sa pwesto sa kalagitnaan ng 2016.

Paglilinaw naman ni Speaker Romualdez na hindi lang basta gusali ang ospital, “It has to be staffed by specialists and staff and workers who shall attend to the needs of patients from Manila and nearby areas.”

“I am grateful that the City of Manila, with its capable doctors and medical practitioners, has taken on this important challenge – not just to provide patients with affordable yet effective treatments for cancer in advanced stages, but enable early cancer detection for better outcomes,” wika pa niya.

Ikinalugod din ng kaalyado ng administrasyon na nagkaroon ng inisyatiba ang Marcos administration na tutukan at gawing prayoridad ang serbisyong pangkalusugan lalo na para sa mga mahihirap na Pilipino na kinakapos sa panggastos dahil sa kanilang sakit.

“The President has consistently emphasized that the health and well-being of every Filipino, regardless of their economic status, is a fundamental right and a cornerstone of his administration’s agenda,” pagbibigay diin ni Speaker Romualdez, na presidente ng nangungunang partidong Lakas-CMD.

“Through initiatives like the Universal Health Care Act, the administration (of President Marcos) is working tirelessly to provide comprehensive health services that are accessible and affordable,” giit pa ng lider ng Kamara.

“Cancer care is a broad field. From information and education initiatives down to the local barangay level, psychological support for patients and survivors, providing support for these initiatives, to research, to actual treatment, each of us have a role to play to achieve victory in this battlefield,” sabi pa ni Speaker Romualdez.

“Together, let us build a cancer-free Philippine society,” dagdag pa ng ika-apat na pinakamataas na opisyal ng pamahalaan.

Ang unang local government cancer facility ay may limang palapag at kapasidad na 38 kama.

Mayroon din itong state-of-the-art medical technology, gaya ng Linear Accelerator, Spect Gamma Camera na may Treadmill Machine at CT Scan.