TINGOG party-list Rep. Jude Acidre called 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,” he said.
“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.”
Acidre also highlighted the stark disparity in access to healthcare between urban and rural areas, saying patients from the provinces often 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 overcome this challenge, Acidre said Tingog 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.
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 Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, Tingog 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, he said.
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 group 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.
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.
