PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte has signed Republic Act 11215 or the National Integrated Cancer Control Act.
The new law, which was signed by the President on Feb. 14, institutionalizes a national integrated cancer control program that will “serve as the framework for all cancer-related activities of the government.”
The program’s objectives are to decrease the overall mortality and impact of all adult and childhood cancer; lessen the incidence of preventable cancer in adults and children; and prevent cancer recurrences, metastasis and secondary cancer among survivors and people living with cancer, among others.
In a statement, the Cancer Coalition Philippines (CCPh) said: “The enactment of the Cancer Control Act is a breath of fresh air that embraced individual patients and families and the whole cancer community with hope.”
It added: “The Coalition believes the approval by the President reflects the immeasurable value our country places on persons with Cancer of any age, stage, gender and income bracket. Guided by this spirit, the Coalition looks forward to working with the Department of Health and other key stakeholders in fleshing out the details of the Implementing Rules and Regulations.” — Arjay L. Balinbin
