FORMER health secretary and House deputy majority leader Janette Garin said on Monday that the Department of Health must have a group of experts who should speak about their specializations in the medical field to ensure that information given to the public are factual.
Garin described DOH as a ‘very important institution’ that the public looks up to as a credible agency where only real experts must be allowed to be interviewed.
“The health department must have a team of doctors and talking heads who can immediately liaise with with real specialty societies and each specialty society can assign a spokesperson,” Garin, a doctor, said in an interview with ANC’s Headstart.
“It has been documented several times that when you demonize a certain vaccine it creates mistrust in all vaccination and public health programs,” the Iloilo First District representative added.
Garin also mentioned that the Doctors for Truth, composed of medical experts, academicians, scientists and former health secretaries have called on the DOH not to allow the Public Attorney’s Office to propagate anti-vaccine advocacies and sentiments.
She also raised awareness regarding the infodemic wherein there are “too much information including, false or misleading information” being disseminated to the public which have result med in mistrust to health programs.
“The impact of fake news and anti-vaccine campaign transcend to even those who are supposed to be protected by vaccines,” the doctor-lawmaker stressed. (END)
FORMER health secretary and House Deputy Majority Leader Janette Garin told the public that siling labuyo cannot cure dengue, warning them not to believe posts online which are not based on research.
Garin made the statement following the posts circulating online, saying that siling labuyo can cure dengue, in which it was also debunked by the Department of Health (DOH).
“Itong siling labuyong kuwentong ito, hindi talaga siya totoo pero dahil bumabalik na naman ‘yung mainit, tag-ulan, kung ano-ano na naman ang marketing strategy ng iba,” Garin, a doctor, said, emphasizing that no medicine has been made to cure dengue.
The Iloilo First District Representative also clarified that tawa-tawa and virgin coconut oil are not medicines for dengue, they only have anti-viral properties which can help a dengue patient.
“Ang nangyayari kasi sa Pilipinas, kapag mayroong herbal na nakikitaan ng anti-viral properties, gine-generalize na gamot sa dengue, sa HIV… Ayun ang nangyayari kaya nalilinlang ang taumbayan,” Garin said.
According to Acta Medica Philippina, based on the sampling of their study, therefore, at the current time, according to DOH AO 184 2004, E. hirta or tawa-tawa may qualify to be registered with the Food and Drug Administration as a traditionally-used herbal product for fever. However, this study has not found sufficient length of time of traditional use for the treatment of conjunctivitis, cough, diabetes, and dengue, as well as malaria, gastritis, and diarrhea.
Garin then explained what happens to one’s body when bitten by dengue mosquito.
“Walang gamot ang dengue. Ang dengue kasi kagaya ng ibang mga viruses it’s a self-limiting illness, kusa siyang mawawala in one to two weeks. Critical ‘yung first week. The problem there is habang nandiyan ang dengue at inaatake ang katawan ng tao, ‘yung iba hindi nagsu-survive, nagkakaroon ng bleeding,” she said.
The lawmaker advised the public to drink plenty of water if they have fever, especially if they have been experiencing symptoms of dengue to keep hydrated and told them immediately seek medical attention if symptoms persist.
HOUSE Deputy Majority Leader Janette Garin pointed out on Wednesday that a compromised version for minimal annulment fee should be done if the Senate will not agree on the House version of divorce bill.
This was the response of Garin when asked regarding the survey held in Senate wherein six senators voted in favor of the divorce bill while five senators voted against it.
“Kung in case na hindi siya mapasa dahil medyo patas ang takbo sa Senado, puwedeng gawin diyan ay gawing libre ang annulment. Dapat walang ganoon kalaking gastos. Sa hirap ng buhay gagastusan mo pa ba ‘yung annulment? Dahil dito, nagiging tiis-tiis na lang,” the Iloilo First District Representative said.
Garin was among the legislators who voted ‘yes’ on House Bill (HB) 9349, or the proposed Absolute Divorce Act.
The House of Representatives has approved the said bill on the third and final reading with 131 affirmative votes, 109 negative votes, and 20 abstentions.
HB 9349 seeks to provide absolute divorce as a legal remedy for irreparably broken marriages under specific grounds and judicial processes, with the goal of sparing children from the emotional strain of parental dispute and allowing divorced individuals to remarry.
Meanwhile, Garin said that she respects the opinion of other legislators regarding divorce bill.
“Depende ‘yan sa bawat legislator. May kanya-kanyang paniniwala, ‘yung iba sinasabi may annulment naman. Marami ang may kanya-kanyang pananaw,” she said.
Only Philippines and Vatican City are the countries which do not have divorce law.
House Deputy Majority Leader and former health secretary Janette Garin said that having flu and pneumonia vaccines for healthcare workers, senior citizens and immunocompromised would help combat the new COVID-19 variant ‘Flirt.’
“Having flu and pneumonia vaccines will help the vulnerables have uncomplicated cases. Will help us manage patients by reducing concurrent infections among Covid patients,” Garin said.
The Iloilo First District Representative explained that mutation of virus is expected and spread of the new variant can be addressed through awareness and proper management of cases.
“It is expected that a virus will keep on mutating but what’s important is the capability of our health workforce to manage cases and for the general public to be aware, hence allowing early consultation, diagnosis and management,” Garin, a doctor, said on Tuesday.
Following the Bureau of Quarantine’s (BOQ) Memorandum No. 2024-48, ordering to conduct thorough screening at Points of Entry visitors from countries where COVID FLiRT incidents have been detected, Garin said the said move was “not that tenable” as there have been vague symptoms and seasonal changes that cause uptick of flu, pneumonia and URTIs.
According to BOQ, KP.1 and KP.2 variations, which are part of a newly discovered subvariants identified as “FLiRT,” a novel virus that is spreading globally and came from the JN1. subvariant, which first became known in late 2023 and was responsible for this year’s earlier infection increase.
The lawmaker also reminded to frequently wash hands, always practice proper hygiene, have adequate rest and nutritious balanced diet as these are essential weapons of Filipinos to crush and flatten the variant.
“Ensuring proper hygiene and being healthy are still two of the best ways to prevent from acquiring the virus,” Garin said.
Based on reports, Flirt variants have been detected in Singapore, Thailand, India, China, Hong Kong, Nepal, Israel, Australia, New Zealand, the United States and 14 countries in Europe.
House Deputy Majority Leader Janette Garin on Tuesday lauded the implementation of Food Stamp Program (FSP) of the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. as it would assure that every poor family will have something on their table.
“The good thing is nasimulan ang programang ito under the PBBM administration kasi sa napakatagal na na hinaing na magkaroon ng food stamp program ngayon lang ito naipatupad,” Garin told reporters during the press conference at the House of Representatives.
The lawmaker also said that it would not only alleviate plight of Filipino families but it would also help farmers and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) as the aid that would be given will be only purchased to accredited retailers.
The said program aims to reduce the incidence of voluntary hunger experienced by low-income households by providing monetary-based assistance through Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards that can be used to purchase select food commodities from eligible partner merchant store.
Meanwhile, Iloilo First District Representative said that the might not be enough on the present time but it would possibly increase which would provide greater assistance to Filipino families.
“It might not be enough but its a good start, but then it is not the only program. Later on, pwedeng tumaas ‘yang [ipamimigay ng gobyerno],” she said.
“In other words, it is just one component of the whole big buy of public services. Kung titingnan natin, magkakaroon ng oportunidad na pang hanapbuhay, magkakaroon ng mas maraming tulong.”
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will fully implement the said program starting this July, six months after its successful pilot implementation in some parts of the country.
Marcos earlier signed Executive Order No. 44, establishing DSWD’s flagship program—Walang Gutom 2027: Food Stamp Program.
“Ang daming programa [na] pinagsasabay-sabay pero isa lang ang layunin, ang mabigyan ng mas magaang na buhay ang bawat pamilyang Pilipino dahil bawat buhay ay mahalaga at bawat bahay ay dapat may pagkain,” Garin said.
FORMER health secretary and House Deputy Majority Leader Janette Garin stressed the need for children to have three doses of vaccine against Hepatitis B to prevent a liver cancer outbreak in 2042.
“Dahil kapag nahawa ng Hepatitis B at hindi bakunado, approximately 30 percent can progress to Hepatocellular Carcinoma, a deadly type of Liver Cancer,” Garin said.
“Kasama doon sa bumagsak ay ang Hepatitis B kasi kasama ‘yan sa mga bakuna na binibigay ng gobyerno. Ano ang consequence nito? Ang epekto nito ay doon sa mga batang hindi nabakunahan at nahawa ng Hepatitis B. Pagdating ng 2042 to 2045 ay posibleng magkaroon ng maraming liver cancer or Hepatocellular Carcinoma sa Pilipinas dahil sa mga unvaccinated children against Hepa,” the Iloilo First District Representative furthered.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Hepatitis B is a serious disease caused by a virus that attacks the liver and its vaccine is available for all age groups.
The said vaccine is recommended for all infants, children, or adolescents younger than 19 years of age who have not been vaccinated.
The World Health Organization (WHO) earlier expressed alarm over the number of deaths related to hepatitis, having an average of 3,500 daily in 2022.
The Philippines is among the countries that account for two-thirds of the global illness burden from Hepatitis B and C, according to WHO’s 2024 Global Hepatitis Report.
“We have to act now. Huwag na nating hayaang magkaroon pa ulit tayo ng outbreak lalung-lalo na sa mga vaccine preventable disease,” Garin stressed.
Former health secretary and House Deputy Majority Leader Janette Garin urged the parents to free themselves from the reluctance of vaccination and have their kids inoculated as the cases of pertussis continue to increase.
Garin made the call following the report of the Department of Health (DOH) that there are 1,477 cases of pertussis nationwide from January 1 to April 6 and 63 deaths related to the illness.
The lawmaker pointed out that vaccine hesitancy was the root cause of the rising number of cases of pertussis and measles due to the vaccine scare which was posed during the leadership of ex-health secretary Francisco Duque III.
“Bakit sa buong mundo ang Pilipinas lang nagkaroon ng Pertussis outbreak? At bakit ‘yung Polio bumalik? Bakit noong mga nakaraang taon grabe ang mga namamatay sa measles. This is all because of vaccine hesitancy,” Garin, also a doctor, said.
“Ngayon, measles outbreak ulit sa ibang panig ng Pilipinas at patuloy na may mga namamatay at yung iba naman ay nagkakaroon permanent injury like encephalopathy and blindness,” she added.
“My apologies, I call it actually the Duque-Ubial legacy dahil noong kapanahunan na sila ay nasa Department of Health at hindi nila pinigilan na magkaroon ng spread ng maraming fake news,” the Iloilo First District Representative said.
The country is expecting three million pentavalent or 5-in-1 vaccine doses by June and now securing Diphtheria, Pertussis, and Tetanus (DPT) doses.
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Saying that efforts in the House of Representatives to amend the 37-year-old Constitution to make the Philippines more friendly to foreign investments, Deputy Majority Leader and Iloilo 1st District Representative Janette Garin has expressed confidence that if passed by both houses of Congress and approved in a plebiscite, this will perk up the country’s economy and improve the quality of lives of Filipinos.
Garin pointed out that on March 29, the US Trade Representative cited foreign ownership limitations in the Philippines as one of the barriers to trade and investments, while the Milken Institute’s Global Opportunity Index (GOI) report for 2024 said the country ranked 91st out of 130 nations when it comes to attractiveness to foreign investors due to financial access.
“Kasi iyan nga, kitang-kita na may problema ang Constitution ng Pilipinas. Ang nagiging hadlang para magtake-off tayo ay ang ating sariling Constitution. Natural iyan, kasi walang perpekto. So inaamin ngayon iyan pero hindi naiintindihan ng tao sa ibaba,” the Ilongga lady solon said on Monday (01 April 2024) in a press conference.
Asked whether economic amendments as contained in Resolution of Both Houses No. 7 (RBH 7) recently approved on final reading in the House of Representatives can make the Philippines more “investment-friendly,” Garin responded enthusiastically with, “Definitely!”
She stressed that one of the concerns of foreign investors is not being able to own land in the Philippines because the 1987 Constitution prohibits it.
“So, kung ikaw ay investor na inutang mo ang bilyong-bilyong capital, kunyari sabihin na natin, kuryente, tubig or internet connectivity. Eh kung ang paglalagyan mo ng iyong power plant, may that be renewable energy or not, kung iyung lupa hindi sa iyo, ano ang mangyayari duon sa investment mo?” Garin asked.
(el Amigo/MNM)
AFTER the video of the teacher scolding her students went viral, House Deputy Majority Leader Janette Garin urged the Department of Education (DepEd) to look deeply into the incident as it may not be an isolated case.
“We need to look into this kasi baka mamaya it is not an isolated case. Nagkataon lang na nalaman ng lahat kasi ni-live niya. So hindi siya by accident, it is intentional. There is a deeper message behind that,” Garin said during the press conference in the House of Representatives.
The Iloilo lawmaker said that the DepEd must ascertain the reason behind the acts of the public school teacher to understand the situation, noting that the teacher’s move may be her way to voice out her concerns.
“Ano ba ‘yung pinagmulan ng lahat ng ito? Where is she coming from? And nakakalabas ba sila ng bodes within the Department of Education? Is somebody hearing them out? Is somebody hearing their problems? Or is somebody supporting them?” she asked.
“What should be the feedback mechanism between our teachers and their administration? This is a very important thing that should be looked into because for all we know baka mamaya sa loob loob niya nandun na ‘yung galit pero hindi siya makalapit sa principal, sa regional director or baka nakalapit siya, may problema na pero kinocontain kasi hindi nila maipalabas sa Central Office,” Garin continued.
The teacher did a live video on her social media account while she was berating her students which received backlash from the netizens.
DepEd said that it has yet to issue sanctions to the teacher and assured her that she will undergo due process.
“This can also be an eye opener. May mali ang teacher, yes. There is also the impact of social media, yes. But we also have to look at the bigger picture. Baka ‘yung ating mga public school teachers ay mayroon ding pinagdaraanan and wala dun ‘yung avenue na ‘yung mga needs nila o ‘yung mental problems nila,” the lady lawmaker stressed.
MANILA — A state-of-the-art, 20-story Philippine Cancer Center is soon to rise in Quezon City. It will serve as a hub for cancer diagnosis, treatment, research, and patient support.
Aside from offering a world-class cancer facility, House Deputy Majority Leader Janette Garin highlighted that the PCC will at the same time, accommodate doctors undergoing training.
It will also provide temporary accommodation for the relatives of cancer patients undergoing treatments.
Garin explained that the facility will offer specialized training for doctors, particularly those from the provinces.
“With this project, firstly, doctors from the provinces who aspire to become cancer specialists can travel here for training. And of course, after completing their training, they can return to their respective hometowns or provinces to serve,” the former health secretary stated.
“We have many talented doctors, but due to financial constraints, they often cannot undergo proper training. With this initiative, when you undergo training, you will have free housing, ensuring full support from the government,” added Garin, who also serves as the Vice Chairperson on the Committee on Appropriations.
Garin further mentioned that cancer patients from the provinces will no longer need to travel back and forth as temporary free housing will be provided for both patients and their relatives within the PCC premises.
“The beneficiaries will be the patients… This includes a halfway house for cancer patients while undergoing treatment,” Garin emphasized.
On March 8, House Speaker Martin Romualdez led the groundbreaking ceremony for the 20-story PCC in Quezon City, which will serve as a hub for cancer diagnosis, treatment, research, and patient support. He noted the administration’s aim to “transform cancer from a death sentence into a manageable condition that, when detected and treated early, can be overcome.”
According to the National Nutrition Council (NNC), in 2018, there were 141,021 reported cases of cancer with a total of 86,337 cancer-related deaths in the country. Among the top 10 most common cancers are breast, cervix uteri, colorectum, corpus uteri, leukemia, liver, lung, ovary, prostate, and thyroid cancer.
Garin stressed that cancer can now be effectively treated given the presence of adequate facilities, treatment modalities, and cancer specialists in the country.
“The truth is, cancer has evolved into a chronic illness. This means that nowadays, with the availability of facilities, specialists, and treatment modalities, patients can truly survive cancer,” the lawmaker concluded.
Former health secretary and House Deputy Majority Leader Janette Garin has warned the public against the negative side effects of infusing glutathione into one’s body.
When asked about the dangers of glutathione drip, Garin explained that overdosing on glutathione will make a person’s color fairer and whiter, however, it will put the individual at risk of skin cancer.
“You will only have a fair and whiter skin if you get it in excessive doses. Iyan po ang epekto ng overdose ng glutathione. It is beneficial? Sa iyong resistensya—yes. However, kapag ikaw ay hindi natingnan ng maayos ng doktor, at ito pala ay bawal sa’yo at wala ka namang cancer ay para kang kumuha ng bato na pinukpok mo sa ulo mo,” the lawmaker said during a press conference in the House of Representatives.
“Dahil hinaharang niya ‘yung iyong pigment cells, nagiging mas prone ka sa cancer. ‘Yung mapuputi, madami sa kanila may cancer dahil hinaharang ng gluta ang melanin na syang protection o parang bubong na nag aabsorb ng radiation,” she added.
The Iloilo lawmaker said that glutathione is being used by cancer patients as an immune booster while they are undergoing chemotherapy so they do not easily acquire diseases.
“It is actually an immune booster, habang ikaw ay nagche-chemo, babagsak ang resistensya mo… It is a very strong antioxidant para ikaw ay hindi madaling mahawa ng sakit, ikaw ay natutulungang tumaas ang iyong resistensya, subalit mayroon siyang side effect,” Garin said.
“Ang side effect niya ay nagpapaputi siya in excessive doses dahil kung ikaw ay may konting overdose na sa glutathione nasusupress niya or hinaharang niya ‘yung iyong melanin o iyong pigment cells na nagbibigay ng kulay mo,” the lady solon furthered.
Earlier, the Department of Health (DOH) opposed the use of glutathione for skin whitening, stressing that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved any injectable products for skin lightening.
To boost the immune system, Garin advised the public to eat healthy food, exercise daily, and get enough sleep.
Opening the country for foreign-owned educational institutions will be a way for the Filipino students to have international standard education, House Deputy Majority Leader Janette Garin stressed on Monday.
During the hearing of the Committee of the Whole on Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No. 7, Garin said international standard education should not only be limited to those who can study abroad to be globally competitive individuals.
“We cannot live in hypocrisy, Mr. Chairman, because if we remain as hypocrites, saying na ang Pilipinas ay para lamang sa mga Pilipino. Tayo po ay lulubog kasi karamihan sa atin dito ay palaging nag-aabroad para mag-aral, nagpapaaral ng mga anak sa abroad, gustong-gusto natin ang competitive standards sa abroad because we want to be more competitive… That is a prerogative that should be given to every Filipino child,” Garin pointed out.
Garin also pointed out that allowing foreign-owned educational institutions in the country would not be a hindrance to instill nationalism and patriotism to Filipino students.
“We’re talking about here pure Filipino, we’re talking about here patriotism but does it make you less of a Filipino kung hangarin mong magkaroon ng mas magandang edukasyon,” the lady solon said.
“Does it make you less of a Filipino if you aspire to be competitive and teach our future generation and give them that opportunity na sa ngayon nakakamit lang ng mamayaman sa Pilipinas?” she asked.
Meanwhile, the Iloilo lawmaker debunked the statement of Department of Education (DepEd) that RBH No. 7 will be a threat to national security after it failed to respond to the connection between the two.
“The representative from DepEd cannot justify their claim that this RBH 7 will serve as a national security threat,” Garin said.
The lawmaker pointed out that the current administration aims to provide such education to talented and intelligent Filipinos.
“When we open up the Philippines, it is simply because gusto ng current administration na maramdaman ng bawat Pilipino ang kakayahan na napapakinabangan lang ng iilang mayayaman,” the lawmaker said.
Garin also highlighted that opening the country for foreign schools would help boost the economy of the country.
MANILA — Filipinos would no longer need to seek employment abroad once the economy opens up, according to House Deputy Majority Leader Janette Garin.
The lady solon emphasized that broader opportunities within the country would emerge once the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution are amended.
During the session on Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No. 7 of the Committee of the Whole on Wednesday (28 Feb 2024), Garin queried one of the resource persons, CoRRECT Movement Principal Co-founder Orion Perez Dumdum, whether economic Charter Change would address the issue of limited opportunities for Filipinos domestically.
“Yes, your honor. This will be answered partially. As a first enabling step, this will be addressed by economic constitutional reform,” Dumdum stated, highlighting that many Filipinos with significant potential opt to work in Singapore, Europe, and America.
Garin also observed that some Filipinos were lured by overseas companies due to the lack of quality jobs in the country, despite being separated from their families.
“Masakit mang sabihin, napakaraming Pilipino ang nasa Vietnam na dati rati dito ay sila ay mga managers and some of them are even company owners pero hindi nila kaya ang malaking kapital, sila ay kinukuha at pina-pirate ng mga dahuyang kompanya at napipilitan silang umalis ng ating bansa para paglingkuran ang bansang hindi nila kinagisnan,” the lawmaker said.
“Ang pamilyang naiiwan nila rito ay napipilitang tiisin ang lungkot lalo na ang mga asawa’t anak dahil walang oportunidad sa Pilipinas,” she added.
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), an estimated 1.96 million Filipinos worked abroad from April to September 2022. This marked a 7.6 percent increase from the 1.83 million OFWs in the same period in 2021.
Garin, a doctor and former health secretary, has highlighted that many medical professionals choose to work outside the Philippines due to the lack of opportunities in the medical industry that are on par with those abroad.
“If we open up opportunities, even for research and other fields, wouldn’t our talented scientists, engineers, and professionals return to work in the Philippines?” the lady lawmaker questioned.
“Doesn’t RBH 7 imply that the Philippines will be opened up so that companies can afford higher salaries, leading to a better life for every Filipino family?” Garin concluded.
HOUSE Deputy Majority Leader Janette Garin pointed out that an increase of P350 on minimum wage would be needed for it to be enough to provide for the essential commodities of a worker, saying that opening the country for more investors would make such a wage hike possible.
“Ang tanong dun solusyon ba na magtaas lamang ng suweldo or ang solusyon ay gawing investor-friendly ang Pilipinas. Buksan natin ang ating bansa sa mga foreign investor [para maging posible ang pagtaas ng suweldo ng mga minimum wage earner],” Garin said on Monday.
The P100 daily wage hike legislated by the Senate would still be inadequate for a minimum wage earner and would also injure the business sector, mainly the micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), citing that almost 95 to 98 percent of the business enterprises are small businesses, the lawmaker said.
However, Garin noted the need to balance both employers and employees as there would be a workforce reduction because companies could not maintain the salary increase costs for their employees.
“Gagawa ka ng magandang batas pero ang dagok naman nun — ilan naman ang mawawalan ng trabaho, ilan naman ang mga kompanyang magsasara [dahil hindi kakayanin ang pa-sweldo sa mga empleyado]… Karamihan kasi ng mga negosyante sa Pilipinas ay maliliit, iilan lang dyan ang nasa malalaking kompanya,” she said.
In 2023, the Philippine Statistics Authority said that 1,080,810 are business enterprises; of these, 99.58 percent are MSMEs. Also, MSMEs hold 63 percent of the labor force in the country.
Earlier, the Iloilo lawmaker stressed that the members of the House of Representatives have been studying the proposed legislation to ascertain if it would be doable.
“Kung pamumulitika lang ang iisipin ng Kongreso, dapat sana pinasa na kaagad ‘yan at sinabi, oh bahala na ang taumbayan. Pero hindi po ganoon ang Kongreso. Tinitingnan natin, doable ba ito o hindi ba doable,” Garin said.
Meanwhile, the vice chairperson of the Committee on Appropriations said that Charter Change would be needed to boost the country’s economy and increase the salaries of the labor force.
“Bakit ayaw nating buksan ang ekonomiya ng Pilipinas at papasukin natin ang foreign investors… Papasok sila, papasok ang malalaking kumpanya, tataas ang sweldo [ng mga tao]. Iikot, gaganda, tataas and ekonomiya ng Pilipinas,” the lawmaker said.
House Deputy Majority Leader Janette Garin pointed out that services of Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) should be outsourced to expedite the release of assistance to those members who were hospitalized.
“Mas mai-streamline ang admin cost, una ‘yan. Mas magiging mabilis ang serbisyo at malamang mababawasan ‘yung fraud,” Garin said on Friday.
“Alam naman natin na ang bagal ng proseso kasi nga masalimuot ang pinagdadaanan and then nagkakaroon nga ng konting mga inefficiency dahil nga ‘yung mga nangyari noong nakaraan,” the lawmaker added.
The former health secretary said that the PhilHealth insurance should be similar to private insurance or Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs).
“Ang mangyayari niyan para kang HMO, kapareho ng ating mga private insurance, i-outsource ‘yan Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao through a government procurement process, kung sino ang manalo, siya ang magiging service provider, siya ang gagawa ng trabaho ng PhilHealth na makikipagugnayan dito sa ating mga ospital, healthcare providers and healthcare professionals,” she explained.
When asked if such move would make an increase in premium pay, Garin stressed that it would be similar but more efficient.
“Hindi magiging mura pero pareho lang [ang babayaran ng mga member]. Ang magiging difference doon ay iyong efficiency,” the Iloilo lawmaker said.
Earlier, Garin said that the increase of coverage of benefits for PhilHealth members is “doable.”
“Yes, it’s doable (ang pagbibigay ng additional benefits kahit hindi pa nagtataas ng premium pay ang PhilHealth),” she said.
“Ang PhilHealth ay isang insurance, it is a government insurance… Doable talaga at dapat taasan ‘yung coverage doon sa mga sakit na pwedeng magpahirap sayo.”
HOUSE Deputy Majority Leader and Iloilo 1st District Rep. Janette Garin on Thursday urged against maligning the Ayuda sa Kapos sa Kita Program (AKAP), describing it as a legitimate and noble initiative aimed at assisting poor workers cope with the effects of the pandemic.
In a press conference, Garin lamented that AKAP is becoming collateral damage in the ongoing tension between the Senate and the House of Representatives over constitutional economic amendments, with Sen. Imee Marcos insinuating that the program was being used to entice individuals to support the people’s initiative aimed at amending the 1987 Constitution.
“We respect the wisdom of the Senate, but we also have to stand up because we cannot continue maligning good projects,” Garin asserted.
Garin stressed that baseless accusations could tarnish the reputation of AKAP and lead to misunderstanding among the public.
She emphasized that AKAP is not merely a frivolous endeavor but a vital lifeline for individuals experiencing financial hardship, highlighting its role in assisting workers grappling with rising commodity prices and ensuring that the burden is not solely passed on to their employers.
“Ang pag-malign na ito ay posibleng magkaroon ng taint at magkaroon ng maling pag-intindi ‘yung ating mga kababayan. So, uulitin natin ‘yung AKAP ay hindi siya hao-siao. Ang AKAP ay tulong sa mga taong kinakapos ang kita. Ang AKAP ay tulong para ‘yung mga empleyadong nahihirapan sa pagtaas ng mga presyo ng mga bilihin ay hindi natin ipapasa lang ng buo ang burden sa kanilang mga employer,” Garin explained.
“In our country, we can survive if we help each other. The Philippines has one of the happiest people in the world, and let us make that happy feeling, the adrenaline, and the anchor to work together, help each other survive these trying times and prove to the world that we are a resilient country,” she pointed out.
She also acknowledged the efforts of the House of Reresentatives’ contingent to the bicameral conference committee on the 2024 national budget for actively seeking avenues to establish programs aimed at providing temporary financial assistance or supplemental income for minimum wage earners.
“That is why the government and the House leadership ay talagang naghanap ng paraan para magkaroon ng programa ang gobyerno na magbibigay ng pansamantalang pantawid or dagdag sa kanilang kita kasi sila nga ay minimum wage earners habang naghihingalo tayo sa epekto ng pandemya,” Garin said.
The lawmaker also appealed for an end to the ongoing bickering between the Senate and the House, emphasizing that such conflicts not only waste taxpayers’ money but also set a negative example for the public.
She expressed her dismay over the unnecessary discord, highlighting the need for constructive dialogue to address pressing issues.
“Kaya dapat talagang ihinto ‘yung pag-aaway na ito kase it’s not only a waste of taxpayers’ money, it’s also a bad example that we are showing to our people,” Garin said.
At the same time, Garin denounced allegations suggesting the misuse of funds related to AKAP, asserting that such claims hold no basis and only serve to undermine the program’s credibility.
“So it’s talagang medyo… walang .0001% of probability ng truth,” Garin affirmed.
Garin further highlighted the challenges faced by the Filipino populace amidst the pandemic, emphasizing the need for comprehensive support measures.
She underscored the multifaceted impact of the health crisis, noting its adverse effects on both public health and the economy.
“We are not yet done with the effects of the pandemic. The initial effect of a pandemic will be health, immediate health problems. After that will be secondary health problems and economic challenges, ‘yan po talaga ang nangyayari,” Garin explained.
Drawing from her experience as a congresswoman, Garin echoed the sentiments expressed by ordinary Filipinos during the recent visits of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to various regions.
She emphasized the common concerns regarding rising prices of basic commodities and the strain on household budgets, stressing the urgency of government intervention.
Garin outlined the government’s role in alleviating the plight of both workers and small-scale entrepreneurs, advocating for measures to ease the burden of post-pandemic complications.
She emphasized the importance of cutting red tape and implementing programs to provide temporary relief to affected individuals and businesses.
“Dapat ang gobyerno ay sumaklolo sa ating taongbayan… Kailangan na nating tulungan ang mga negosyante by cutting red tape at ginagawa nga ‘yan,” Garin asserted.
HOUSE Deputy Majority Leader and Iloilo First District Rep. Janette Garin on Thursday said that the House of Representatives is eyeing a higher increase in the daily minimum wage from the P100 espoused by the Senate for workers in the private sector, but lawmakers seek to balance the interests between that of workers and small businesses.
Garin also said that the Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP), which some senators are heavily criticizing, would also greatly help in augmenting the wages of Filipino workers while Congress deliberates on the legislated wage hike.
She congratulated the Senate for passing on second reading a measure that calls for a P100 increase in the daily minimum wage, but said the amount seems to fall short of the actual needs of Filipino workers.
“Naipasa nila ‘yung P100 wage hike. Iyan nga ay patuloy na dini-delibarate dito sa Kongreso kasi maganda ang intensyon. Pero parang mababa ‘yung P100. Kasi sa mahal ng mga bilihin ngayon, parang hindi siya sang-ayon sa pangangailangan ng taumbayan,” Garin said in a press conference in the House of Representatives.
She clarified that the House is not against any efforts to enact a legislated wage hike for minimum wage earners in the private sector. In fact, she said, they are currently deliberating many measures calling for such.
But Garin said lawmakers have to balance the interests of workers and private companies alike, especially those from micro, small and medium enterprises or MSMEs that comprise over 90% of all business in the country and employs millions of Filipinos.
“Mas mabuti sana kung dapat mas mataas ‘yun kagaya nga ng masinsinang inaaral ng Kongreso. Subalit andun din kase yung balance. Kaya nga Congress was actually looking into the possibility of a P350 wage hike. At matagal na po yan nakabinbin at sa katotohanan lang e talagang ‘yung liderato ng Kongreso ay medyo pinu-push sana ito,” she said.
“Pero andun kase ‘yung balance. Magandang gumawa ng batas pero mahirap magpaasa kung walang pag-asa. Kasi pag tinaas natin ‘yung sweldo, dapat ‘yung kaya ng ating mga negosyante, e sa Pilipinas, 98 to 99 percent of the business sector are MSMEs,” she added.
Important questions should be asked, said the Iloilo lawmaker, to find out if there will be serious repercussions on passing a legislated wage hike.
“Hindi ba ito magiging cause ng pagsara ng negosyo ng karamihan? Marami ang hindi nagsasabi nito pero ano ba ‘yung katotohanan post-pandemic? Globally, sa buong mundo, hindi lamang po yan sa Pilipinas, 30 to 40 percent ng income, gross income ng bawat negosyante ay nabawasan. Bakit?” She asked.
“Maganda ang intensiyon nito pero yung implementation is one big question. Ang takot natin, baka yung sampung empleyado ay maging pito na lang. ‘Yun yong medyo dapat nating ibalanse,” she added.
HOUSE Deputy Majority Leader Janette Garin urges the Department of Tourism (DOT) and other related agencies to implement initiatives that will boost the tourism industry.
Garin’s call was made after Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia had mutual agreement with People’s Republic of China, waiving visa requirement to visit their country and vice versa.
“Kailangan mas paigtingin pa ng DOT at iba pang ahensya ang ating turismo lalo na’t marami sa kalapit nating bansa ay nag-alis na ng visa requirement para sa mga Chinese national,” the lawmaker said.
“While we have a lot of tourist spots and our hospitality is one of a kind, it should be coupled with less bureaucracy and better facilitation,” Garin added, emphasizing that the country has collateral services such as food, resort and souvenirs.
Garin furthered that it would be crucial for the DOT and other agencies to invest in readiness, ensuring that their strategies align with evolving traveler preferences.
She emphasized that a thriving travel and tourism sector will not just contribute to the prosperity of our national economy but also cultivate inclusive growth.
“Kapag lumago ang ekonomiya, tataas ang employment rate, tataas din ang antas ng pamumuhay ng mga Pilipino,” she said.
HOUSE Deputy Majority Leader Janette Garin said that application of membership on Philippine Health Insurance Corp. should be made individually, stressing that even the new born should immediately be members of the national insurance.
“We should have individual membership, hindi siya per family… ‘Yung isang bata kunyari anak ko by virtue of being dependent pagdating niya ng 18 years old hindi na siya miyembro. ‘Pag nagkaanak ‘yan at nanganak siya, hindi siya miyembro ng PhilHealth, at ‘yung anak naman niya, hindi rin ma-cocover kapag nagkasakit,” the former Department of Health secretary explained on Thursday.
“Dapat ‘yan talaga individual membership, pagkapanganak miyembro, kapag namatay tanggal sa lista,” Garin added.
Garin made her statement after the five percent premium increase in PhilHealth contribution.
Republic Act No. 11223, or the Universal Health Care Act, provides that an increase of 0.5 percent every year in membership premiums is implemented, starting year 2021 and until it reaches the 5-percent limit in year 2025.
The House committee on appropriations vice chairperson also noted that PhilHealth should give adequate programs and services for its members.
“Paano mo naman iincrease kung ‘yung serbisyo ng PhilHealth ay hindi akma doon sa minimum expectation ng ating mga kababayan,” Garin pointed out.
According to Malacañang, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has been studying theappeal of Health Secretary Ted Herbosa to suspend the implementation of premium rate increase this year.
“Lahat ng ginagawa natin sa pang araw-araw, edukasyon, trabaho at agrikultura, all of these vacuum to health. Health is the core of our economy and existence. Kaya dapat umayos ang PhilHealth,” Garin ended.
DEPUTY Majority Leader and Iloilo 1st District Rep. Janette Garin on Friday said residents in the province are starting to get sick due to extreme heat caused by lack of electricity because of continuous power outage in Western Visayas.
“Apektado rin naman [ng brownout] ang buong Pilipinas dahil lahat tayo nagko-contribute sa ekonomiya. Hindi lang ‘yan ang dami na rin pong nagkakasakit kasi sobrang mainit,” Garin said in an interview with Punto Asintado on Friday.
The Iloilo lawmaker further stressed that the continuous power outage affects economy and livelihood of fishermen and output-based work force.
“Ang problema ‘yung iba hindi nakakapagnegosyo ay nawawalan ng kita. ‘Yung iba na output-based ang kanilang kita apektado. ‘Yung mga mangingisda naman ‘yung kanilang isda ay ibebenta na lang ng murang mura dahil wala kang ice [na paglalagyan ng isda],” Garin said, adding that generation sets in hospitals were not enough to provide full electricity needs.
Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas cited data from Local Economic Development and Investment Promotion Office (LEDIPO), saying that Iloilo City was losing P400 million to P500 million a day due to the power interruptions, totaling to P1.5 billion on the third day of blackout.
Garin mentioned that power providers vowed to resolve the problem on Friday, however, Garin, who is currently in Iloilo, said that electricity has yet to return on Friday noon. Power outage began on January 2, she said.
During the congressional probe on widespread power outage, the House Deputy Majority Leader vowed that those responsible for the blackout will be held accountable.
“Dapat talaga imbestigahan kung bakit ito nangyayari at ‘yung imbestigasyon na ‘yun ay hindi lamang mahinto sa pagtatanong. Dapat malaman natin kung bakit nagkaganito. Sino ba ‘yung dapat managot,” the lawmaker said.
“Adding insult to injury is the constant finger pointing between NGCP (National Grid Corporation of the Philippines) and the power generators. Ang mahal mahal na nga ng kuryente, hindi mo naman maramdaman yung quality of service,” Garin added.