Assuring kidney disease patients of continued government support, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday led the launch of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth)’s new benefit package for post-kidney transplantation services.

PhilHealth has offered a new support package for adult and pediatric post-kidney transplant patients in response to President Marcos’ directive to prioritize healthcare.

During his visit to the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) in Quezon City for the launch, President Marcos stated that Filipinos need to improve their lifestyle and diet to reduce cases of chronic kidney disease.

“Until we improve the situation of our children’s diet… we recognize the needs of our sick kababayan para naman lahat ng kanilang pangangailangan ay matutugunan ng ating PhilHealth at saka ng ating mga facilities kagaya nitong NKTI,” President Marcos said in his remarks after visiting some wards.

The President greeted patients at the Hemodialysis Center and the Hemodialysis Center Extension, and met with post-kidney transplant patients.

PhilHealth developed a comprehensive benefits package for post-kidney transplantation covering both adult and pediatric patients with stage 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD).

The initiative aims to alleviate the financial burden on patients and their families, enhance long-term health outcomes, and promote equitable access to quality healthcare, aligning with the objectives of the Universal Health Care law.

The new benefits package for adult and child post-kidney transplant patients covers immunosuppressive medications, drug prophylaxis, drug level monitoring, laboratory tests, diagnostic tests, renal graft biopsy, and living donor monitoring.

For pediatric patients, PhilHealth will cover immunosuppressive medications worth PhP73,065 per month for the first year, and worth PhP41,150 per month for the succeeding years; drug prophylaxis or antibiotic to prevent infections worth PhP45,570 per month; and laboratory services worth PhP37,585 for every three months for the first year and worth PhP14,078 for every three months for the succeeding years.

Meanwhile, adult patients 19 years old and above are entitled to PhP40,725 per month for immunosuppressive medications; PhP18,932 for 6 months of treatment; and PhP11,242 for every 3 months of laboratory services for the first year and PhP8,125 for every three months for the succeeding years.

Living kidney donors are also entitled to PhP1,900 worth of laboratory and monitoring services every six months.

At the start of the year, Philhealth enhanced the benefits for members with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 5. These improvements include expanding hemodialysis sessions from 90 to 156 annually, increasing coverage for the Z Benefit Package for peritoneal dialysis up to PhP1.2 million, and raising the Z Benefit coverage for kidney transplantation from PhP600,000 to PhP2 million.

Chronic kidney disease is a pressing global health issue. The NKTI said one Filipino develops chronic kidney failure every hour, equating to around 120 new cases per million population annually. | PND

Concerned about rising cases of chronic kidney diseases, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday appealed to parents and teachers to train children in proper diet at an early age to avoid serious illnesses later in life.

President Marcos also urged those in the food industry to prepare healthy meals, particularly with reduced sugar content.

“Kailangan natin ng tulong ng magulang, ng mga teacher, maging na ang mga nasa industriya na ‘yung mga naghahanda ng fast food eh bawasan naman nila ‘yung paglagay ng asukal para naman ay ‘yung kabataan natin ay hindi mapunta sa ganitong kondisyon,” President Marcos said in his remarks during a visit to the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) in Diliman, Quezon City.

The President emphasized the importance of introducing Filipinos to nutritious eating habits at a young age as a long-term solution to reducing the incidence of lifestyle diseases.

President Marcos was in the NKTI to launch the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth)’s new benefit package for post-kidney transplantation services.

The President visited patients at the NKTI Hemodialysis Center and the Hemodialysis Center Extension. He also met post-kidney transplant patients.

On President Marcos’ directive, PhilHealth has improved benefits for members diagnosed with the most severe stage of chronic kidney disease. ǀ PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to remove administrative duties from teachers’ workloads has made educators eager to refocus their time and energy on teaching students.

Armida Anota, Head Teacher III at Flora A. Ylagan High School in Quezon City, expressed her gratitude for the President’s order, saying it allows teachers to concentrate more on lesson preparation, student engagement, and improving the overall quality of education in the classroom.

“Yes! Malaking tulong po ‘yun sa aming mga teachers, ‘yung maalis ang administrative work. Naumpisahan na po ‘yung matanggal na ‘yung admin duties ng mga teachers. Nailipat na sa mga head teacher, so kami po ‘yun, at non-teaching staff,” she said on Thursday.

“Nasa amin na ‘yung trabaho. Nagagawa na ng mga guro ang kanilang goal na makapagturo sa kalidad na kanila pong gustong ibigay sa ating mga estudyante,” Anota added.

President Marcos Jr. on Thursday visited Flora A. Ylagan High School (FAYHS) to check on teachers and students at the resumption of classes and to test the school’s internet connection personally.

With more than 1,500 students and 67 teachers, FAYHS warmly welcomed the President with a lineup of Boy Scouts saluting the Chief Executive.

President Marcos went to the classroom of more than 30 senior high school students currently studying bread and pastry production.

Amid the humidity, the President spoke with teachers and students from other parts of the country via teleconference, using the school’s internet connection and a large monitor.

During the visit, the President was accompanied by Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Henry Aguda, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Acting Secretary Jay Ruiz, and several city and regional officials from the Department of Education (DepEd).

A former regular teacher herself, Anota said administrative work in the school includes serving as registrar, librarian, disaster risk reduction and management officer, and even cleaning.

“Sa teachers ‘yan dati, na nakakahinder din talaga sa pagtuturo,” she said.

Currently, FAYHS has 22 non-teaching personnel. The school is waiting for the arrival of a dedicated librarian.

“It’s an honor na mabisita po kami ng Presidente para na rin po makita nya ‘yung kalagayan lalo na sa classroom setting. Malaki pong tulong ‘yun para matugunan kung sakali ang aming mga pangangailangan,” Anota said. | PND

To ensure the safe repatriation of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday said the government has identified safe passageways for their return amid the escalating military showdown between Israel and Iran.

President Marcos said Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac is on his way to Jordan to coordinate the evacuation process in the face of logistical issues including the shutdown of international airports.

“We are watching our nationals both in Israel and in Iran. And as a matter of fact, we have already contacted all our nationals and asked them if they want to be evacuated,” President Marcos said during a media interview following his inspection of the fire-damaged San Francisco High School Building in Quezon City.

“Some have asked to be evacuated out of Israel. Noong una, sa Iran, ayaw nila munang umalis. Pero ngayon, mayroon nang sinasabi na kailangan, natatakot na sila kaya nagpapatulong nang makalabas,” the President said.

“Ang naging problema natin sa pag-evacuate sa kanila ay dahil sa giyera, maraming sarado na airport. Kaya naghahanap tayo ng ruta kung saan sila mailabas. But we have been able to do that,” added the President.

The government has not assessed the situation to have reached Alert Level 4, which would mandate compulsory repatriation.

“We generally leave it to each individual or each family to decide for themselves whether or not they feel safe, or whether or not they would like to be evacuated,” President Marcos said.

On June 16, the President ordered the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and DMW to ensure no Filipino would be left behind should the conflict in the Middle East intensify. | PND

With his food security programs in full force, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said his administration’s goal to sell rice at PhP20 per kilo to the public nationwide is within reach.

“Hopefully, we will bring it up to the point that ‘bigas for all,’ it will all be 20 pesos,” President Marcos said in the second part of the BBM Podcast Episode 2 aired on Wednesday.

The Marcos administration is expanding the Benteng Bigas Meron Na program to deliver quality and affordable rice to more communities through the Kadiwa ng Pangulo outlets.

The Kadiwa ng Pangulo stores currently sell the Benteng Bigas to members of vulnerable sectors, which include indigents, senior citizens, solo parents, persons with disabilities, and minimum wage workers.

President Marcos said the national government may eventually bear the full cost of the Benteng Bigas Meron Na program, and do without the share of local government units (LGUs).

“Ngayon we are in partnership with the LGUs. Eventually, I’m looking at a proposal na next year, wala ng kontribusyon ang LGU. Ang kontribusyon lahat sa national government,” President Marcos said.

Currently, Kadiwa stores can supply PhP20 per kilo rice sufficient for 51% of the population, the Chief Executive said.

President Marcos said eventually, the regular retail price of rice will go down to PhP20 per kilo for all consumers.

The President pointed out that all-time high palay harvests in 2023 and 2024, and likely this year, are pushing rice prices down and making the PhP20/kilo goal more feasible. | PND

While expressing deep sorrow over the fire, the principal of San Francisco High School in Quezon City expressed gratitude to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for his personal attention and support to the school’s immediate reconstruction.

Wearing a hard hat, President Marcos on Wednesday personally inspected the SFHS in Misamis Street, Barangay Sto. Cristo, Bago Bantay and instructed government agencies to reconstruct the building immediately.

Assisted by a fire officer, the President entered one of the classrooms that still contained charred laptops, books, chairs, and desks.

SFHS Principal Marissa Nava-Rodriguez became emotional as she thanked President Marcos for personally visiting fire-hit classrooms, saying his presence gave hope to those affected.

“Noong dumating po siya (President Marcos), para bang sabi ko nga at least one part of myself na-realize ko na in every dark cloud, there is a silver lining. Talagang patotoo po ngayon ‘yun,” Nava-Rodriguez said.

“Maraming, maraming salamat po. Hindi po matatawaran po ‘yung presensya ninyo na nakipag-simpatya po kayo sa amin. Nakidamay po ay malaking bagay na po,” she added.

Quick assistance

President Marcos directed Department of Education Secretary Sonny Angara to provide immediate assistance to teachers affected by the June 15 fire.

SFHS has a total of 720 students this school year.

The fire occurred a day before the June 16 opening of classes.

President Marcos also directed the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to rebuild the damaged building into a four-story facility.

Damaged school supplies and instructional materials will also be replaced.

Nava-Rodriguez expressed heartfelt gratitude to the government for its prompt response and assistance.

“Immediate naman po ang pagtulong po ng DepEd. Noong nasabi po namin during the interview na wala po kaming silya, nagpadala po kaagad sila ng silya,” the principal said.

A DepEd report estimated the damage caused by the fire at around PhP3 million. The damage included eight rooms with 360 armchairs, 32 orbit fans, 96 light fixtures, 29 teacher tables and chairs, and around 150 bundles of junior high school learning materials.

Two non-academic rooms were also damaged, resulting in the loss of teachers’ personal belongings and computer sets. I PND

Saying the drug problem has not been eradicated, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) to go after large-scale sources of illegal drugs and quickly destroy seized narcotics to prevent them from slipping back into the streets again.

In his latest podcast interview, President Marcos acknowledged that the problem of illegal drugs persists and ordered PNP chief P/Gen. Nicolas Torre III needs to get to the bottom of this.

“We still have a drug problem in this country. Siyempre pumapasok pa rin ‘yung shabu. So, sabi ko, you (Torre) continue to – pero ‘yung hulihin ninyo ‘yung malalaki. At saka puntahan ninyo kung saan pumapasok. Iyon ang isara natin. And we’re slowly doing that,” the President said on Wednesday.

The Chief Executive also directed the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to help the police prevent attempts to smuggle drugs into the country.

The confiscated narcotics should be quickly and completely destroyed, ordered the President.

“Bantayan na ninyo kasi ayokong bumalik sa merkado ‘yan. Sirain na ninyo kaagad as quickly as possible. And make sure na nandoon kayo para ‘pag sinabing so many tons, ilang tonelada, ‘yun talaga ang nandiyan. Hindi nababawasan. Bilangin ninyo nang husto, tapos buhusan niyo ng gasolina, sunugin na ninyo,” President Marcos said.

Over the past few weeks, law enforcement authorities have seized nearly 1,300 kilos of shabu worth around PhP8.775 billion found by fishermen in packages left floating in waters off Zambales, Pangasinan, Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, and Cagayan.

While focusing on big sources of drugs, President Marcos also ordered law enforcers to keep small-time dealers from returning to the streets.

“May balita na bumabalik-balik sa mga bara-barangay ‘yung mga small time. Kaya ‘yung Cops on the Beat, that’s the solution to that. Kasi nagpapatrolya sila,” the President said. | PND

Malacañang on Wednesday assured the public that all concerned government agencies are working together to prepare and protect communities from the impact of hazards related to the rainy season.

In a Palace press briefing, Presidential Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said key agencies have already been implementing various mitigating measures.

Castro said Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan confirmed that flood control projects are actively being constructed across the country, following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to strengthen disaster resilience.

“Asahan po natin at maging lagi tayong handa sa pagbaha. Although hindi natin masasabing 100 percent agad na mababawasan ang pagbaha sa ating bansa, pero patuloy pa rin po ang pagsasagawa ng DPWH para po maibsan ang problema dito,” Castro said.

Among the completed initiatives is a 2,339.76-square-meter concrete slope protection project along the Bagac–Mariveles Road in Bataan, aimed at reducing risks related to landslides, soil erosion, and slope collapse.

The DPWH has also developed individual master plans for 18 major river basins, tailored to the specific geographic and hydrological needs of each location.

On weather monitoring and public alert systems, Castro said the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (DOST-PAGASA) launched its campaign “Kahandaan sa Bagyo at Baha, Solusyon sa Ligtas na Bayan” in observance of the Typhoon and Flood Awareness Week (TFAW).

To kick off the TFAW celebration, DOST-PAGASA has launched improvements to the National Hydro-Meteorological Observing Network (PANaHON) interactive platform and a centralized alert system, providing the public with easier access to critical and real-time weather advisories.

In support of food security, Castro said the Department of Agriculture (DA) assured the public that the country’s rice supply remains stable, and that measures are in place to safeguard agricultural production amid extreme weather events.

In addition, Casto said the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is prepared to roll out feeding programs in flood-affected areas, while the Department of Health (DOH) is enforcing its rainy-season health campaigns dubbed “Taob, Taktak, Tuyo, at Takip” and “Alas Kwatro Kontra Mosquito.”

The Marcos administration’s unified approach to disaster response highlights its commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of all Filipinos. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday said the government stands ready to extend fuel subsidies to sectors severely affected by potential oil supply disruptions in the Middle East due to escalating tensions between Israel and Iran.

“We are starting already with the assumption that oil prices will in fact go up, and I cannot see how it will not because the Strait of Hormuz will then be blocked if it escalates,” President Marcos said when interviewed by reporters following a school inspection in Quezon City.

The President recalled that the government provided fuel subsidies to the public transport sector during the pandemic.

“Now we will have to do the same for those who are severely affected by any instability in the price of oil,” President Marcos said.

In 2023, the government provided fuel subsidies to public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers to help them cope with rising fuel prices.

Due to the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel, concerns have emerged over a potential slowdown in the flow of shipping and crude oil through the Strait of Hormuz, which could drive oil prices upward and impact the global economy.

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical passageway for the global energy market, serving as a conduit for nearly one-third of the world’s seaborne oil and about one-fifth of global liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments. | PND

With record-high palay harvests and improved production, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said selling rice at PhP20 per kilo in the market is feasible and sustainable.

In the second episode of his official podcast aired on Wednesday, President Marcos said the country achieved its highest palay output in history in 2023. The record-high palay production was surpassed in 2024, with projections of even higher yields in 2025.

“Since our production is already going up, bababa ang cost of production. Since bababa ang cost of production, ‘di ang pagbenta kung bibili ang NFA (National Food Authority)… pababa nang pababa,” President Marcos said.

“That’s why I’m so confident masabi sustainable,” the President said, referring to the administration’s Benteng Bigas Meron Na initiative that sells PhP20 per kilo rice in Kadiwa ng Pangulo outlets to vulnerable sectors.

Focusing on production-side reforms- including farm machinery support, irrigation initiatives, and research on planting techniques- has ramped up rice production.

The increased rice production would eventually lessen the need for government subsidy to keep rice available at PhP20 per kilo, said President Marcos.

“Pagka-gumanda nang husto ‘yung production side natin, maibababa natin, wala nang subsidy,” the President said, pointing out that higher yields directly lead to lower retail prices.

President Marcos acknowledged the concern of farmers on the disparity in the buying prices of the NFA and private traders.

While the NFA currently purchases palay at PhP17 to PhP18 per kilo, private traders reportedly offer only PhP11 to PhP12.

“We have to support (the farmers). Kahit ano pa ang mangyari sa presyo ng bigas na ipinagbibili natin sa mga palengke, hindi natin ibababa ang buying price ng NFA. Never bababa ‘yan,” President Marcos stressed.

The President said the approach ensures a balanced rice ecosystem, where consumers benefit from affordable rice and farmers are assured of fair compensation.

President Marcos said the goal of bringing down rice market prices to PhP20 per kilo is achievable within his term, recalling that the country used to export rice.

“If we did it before, why not do it again?” the President said. | PND