VILLAR BATS FOR MORE HEALTHCARE BENEFITS FOR WOMEN
Filed bills seeking more comprehensive medical and hospitalization benefits

Senator Manny Villar, President of the Nacionalista Party, joins all Filipino women in the commemoration of Women's Month this month and all women worldwide in the celebration of International Women's Day on March 8 (Wednesday).

According to Villar, while the country has taken great strides in upholding the Filipino women's welfare in many aspects, more measures are needed to protect women's health and general wellbeing.

"The recent decades have given rise to the so-called women diseases such as breast or ovarian cancer and pregnancy-related complications. We should acknowledge the fact that women have special needs that need to be addressed. There are certain diseases that affect women only," says Villar.

Under Senate Bill 613 or the Women's Medical and Hospitalization Benefits Act, Villar seeks for the provision of free medical and hospitalization benefits to indigent Filipino women suffering from women's diseases such as cancer of the reproductive organ or of the breast; pregnancy-related diseases; and illnesses or injuries caused by violence inflicted on them. Villar is proposing for the establishment of a special ward in all provincial and district hospitals.

Villar adds, "It's already the 21st century and many Filipinas are still dying from childbirth only because of lack of know-how and poor medical facilities. Pregnant women are more exposed to diseases and danger. We need to extend more medical and hospitalization benefits to them."

Villar also filed Senate Bill 620 to provide literacy program for all expectant mothers in all public and private hospitals, clinics, health centers and other similar establishments rendering maternity services. Failure of medical establishments to do so, will result to penalties such as cancellation of operating license and payment of fines of between P10,000 to P100,000.

Encompassing both the healthcare benefits and literacy program for women, Villar's Senate Bill 622 proposes the establishment of the Office of Research on Women's Health, which shall conduct comprehensive or extensive research and studies on women's health and shall provide the appropriate quality care to women.