Albay 3rd District Representative Adrian Salceda (File photo)
LEGAZPI CITY – Albay 3rd District Representative Adrian Salceda has filed House Bill No. 4236 aimed at ensuring the availability of essential medicines, vaccines, and supplies for notifiable infectious diseases in all rural health units (RHUs).
Salceda said on Wednesday that many infectious diseases claiming lives are preventable if vaccines and essential medicines can be easily accessed.
The proposed legislation aims to establish a system that ensures an adequate supply of medicines, vaccines, and medical supplies for diseases such as hand, foot, and mouth disease, rabies, leptospirosis, and other infectious diseases of significant public health concern in RHUs nationwide.
"With the rise in cases of leptospirosis, dengue, and other illnesses associated with the rainy season, families are already vulnerable. We cannot allow preventable illnesses to become fatal simply due to the ack of available medicines and vaccines," he added.
Salceda added that he would ensure that the 2026 national budget includes provisions for the ongoing supply of essential vaccines and medicines.
"It is crucial to guarantee funding for this, especially with cases of HFMD, rabies, and leptospirosis," he said.
As the chair of the House Special Committee on Food Security, Salceda added that public health preparedness must be paired with food and livelihood security.
"Filipino families should never lose a loved one to diseases that can be fully prevented. House Bill 4236 aims to ensure that our health centers are always ready, rather than scrambling during outbreaks," he said. (PNA)
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