Senator Loren Legarda urged government agencies to fully implement landmark health laws, emphasizing their role in protecting the rights of Filipinos from birth to old age.
Speaking on December 3 in response to Senator Raffy Tulfo’s privilege speech on health programs for persons with disabilities, Legarda highlighted her own legislative initiatives.
“Ito po ang pagsusuri sa sanggol kaagad pagkapanganak, ang Newborn Screening. Malaking tulong po ito dahil maaga nating natutukoy kung may kapansanan o kondisyon na dapat agad gamutin,” she said, recalling the Newborn Screening Act of 2004 (RA 9288), which she authored.
She also cited the Universal Newborn Hearing Screening and Intervention Act of 2009 (RA 9709), which she pushed with Dr. Charlotte Chiong of UP College of Medicine.
“Ito naman po ay para sa kapansanan sa pandinig. Kaya po tayo ay tumulong sa UP-PGH na magkaroon ng ear department na nagsasagawa ng hearing screening,” she added.
Legarda further highlighted her work on amending the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons (RA 10070), expanding benefits under RA 10754, and ensuring mandatory PhilHealth coverage for all PWDs under RA 11228.
She reminded agencies of their duty to fully enforce these laws, coinciding with the observance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3.