Food Security

REMOVAL OF 45-DAY HOSPITALIZATION CAP MAJOR STEP TOWARD UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE – AGRI PARTY-LIST AGRI Party-list Rep. Manoy Wilbert Lee lauded the removal of the 45-day annual limit on hospital confinements for PhilHealth members and their dependents under PhilHealth Circular No. 2025-007. He described the policy change as a significant step toward comprehensive Universal Health Care, ensuring continuous access to health services without arbitrary limits. Lee emphasized that the previous 45-day cap had been a major concern for Filipinos, particularly those with serious illnesses. “Napakagandang balita nito dahil hindi naman natin ma-i-schedule kung kailan tayo gagaling lalo na sa malulubhang sakit. Malaking kabawasan ito sa pangamba at pasanin ng napakarami nating kababayan sa pagpapa-ospital,” he said. AGRI Party-list, under Lee’s leadership, has been a staunch advocate for expanded health benefits, with recent efforts leading to increased health benefits, free dialysis, eye check-ups, prescription glasses for children, and expanded coverage for various health conditions. Lee also urged the effective implementation of the new policy to ensure that all Filipinos, especially those with chronic or severe health conditions, receive the necessary care without financial constraints. “Patuloy nating ipaglalaban ang mga repormang pagkalusugan hanggang sa makamit natin ang libreng gamot at pagpapagamot na karapatan at deserve ng bawat Pilipino,” AGRI Party-list concluded. AGRI Party-list Rep. Manoy Wilbert Lee welcomed the removal of the 45-day annual limit of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) on hospital confinements for members and their dependents.  According to the Bicolano lawmaker, the new circular—PhilHealth Circular No. 2025-007—which took effect today, is a significant advancement toward achieving comprehensive Universal Health Care in the country.  “This development ensures that all Filipinos, regardless of their medical conditions, have continuous access to necessary health services without the fear of exceeding arbitrary limits,” he said. “Napakagandang balita nito dahil hindi naman natin ma-i-schedule kung kailan tayo gagaling lalo na sa malulubhang sakit. Malaking kabawasan ito sa pangamba at pasanin ng napakarami nating kababayan sa pagpapa-ospital,” he added. Under the previous policy, PhilHealth members were allowed a maximum of 45 days of hospital confinement per year, while the dependents were entitled to a shared additional 45 days annually. Beyond these limits, members had to shoulder the full cost of hospitalization. AGRI Party-list which is running for reelection in the 2025 National and Local Elections, said that the removal of the 45-day hospitalization cap is a giant step towards genuine Universal Health Care.  It then stressed that PhilHealth should ensure the effective implementation of the said policy to have a profound impact on the health care landscape in the Philippines. “We want to ensure that all Filipinos, particularly those with chronic or severe health conditions, receive the necessary care without the added worry of financial constraints,” AGRI Party-list said. “Patuloy nating babantayan ang maayos na implementasyon nito dahil hindi natin hahayaan na maging paasa o fake news ang PhilHealth sa mga kinakailangang serbisyong pangkalusugan,” it added. Earlier, AGRI Party-list blasted PhilHealth amid complaints of patients over the failure to implement PhilHealth’s Outpatient Emergency Care Benefit (OECB) package. Lee wrote a letter to PhilHealth Acting President and Officer-in-Charge Dr. Edwin Mercado on March 23 to seek clarification on the matter and is now waiting for its swift resolution. AGRI Party-list, under Lee’s leadership, was the first to expose that PhilHealth has billions of available funds in September 2023. Lee’s persistent efforts resulted to the implementation of PhilHealth’s increased benefits and free medical services. The said increases include the 30% increase in health benefits which was implemented on February 2024, another 50% increase which started in 2025, free dialysis, free eye check-up and prescription glasses for ages 0-15, free dental care, expanded coverage for breast cancer treatment, new benefit package for kidney transplant and heart ailments, and the said outpatient emergency care services, among others. “Patuloy nating ipaglalaban ang mga repormang pangkalusugan hanggang sa makamit natin ang libreng gamot at pagpapagamot na karapatan at deserve ng bawat Pilipino. This recent development is a testament to what we can achieve when we prioritize the well-being of our people,” AGRI Party-list stressed. Previous Activities Share the News! Previous Post Latest Posts​ 04 Apr 2025 REMOVAL OF 45-DAY HOSPITALIZATION CAP MAJOR STEP TOWARD UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE – AGRI PARTY-LIST 02 Apr 2025 AGRI RENEWS CALL TO PROBE P11-B EXPIRED MEDICINES, VACCINES IN DOH WAREHOUSES, HEALTH FACILITIES 26 Mar 2025 Ayaw natin ng fake news! AGRI PARTY-LIST SLAMS NON-IMPLEMENTATION OF PHILHEALTH ‘OUTPATIENT EMERGENCY CARE BENEFIT’ PACKAGE Categories Activities Advocacy Legislation Support Previous Activities 2024 2025

AGRI RENEWS CALL TO PROBE P11-B EXPIRED MEDICINES, VACCINES IN DOH WAREHOUSES, HEALTH FACILITIES AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert Lee reiterated his call for an investigation into the P11 billion worth of expired medicines and vaccines in Department of Health (DOH) warehouses, following a recent Senate resolution by Senator Joel Villanueva. Lee emphasized that the expiration of essential drugs, including over 7 million vials of COVID-19 vaccines, is a clear case of negligence and misuse of public funds. Lee, who filed House Resolution No. 2117, highlighted the importance of accountability and efficient use of health resources. He also called on the DOH to submit a comprehensive report on the expired supplies and the steps taken to address the issue. AGRI Party-list continues to push for free medicines and healthcare services for all Filipinos, stressing the need for proper government action to ensure public health resources are used effectively. AGRI Party-list Representative Manoy Wilbert Lee reiterated his call to investigate the P11 billion worth of expired medicines and vaccines in Department of Health (DOH) warehouses and health facilities flagged by the Commission on Audit (COA). The Bicolano lawmaker renewed his call after Senator Joel Villanueva recently filed Senate Resolution No. 1326 to probe the said issue. “Buo ang suporta natin sa panawagang ito ni Senator Joel Villanueva para imbestigahan din sa Senado ang malaking kapabayaan at malaking kasalanan na ito sa taumbayan,” Lee said.  “Such negligence is both unacceptable and unlawful. Pondo ito na nasayang at serbisyong ipinagkait para sa kalusugan ng mga Pilipino,” he added.  Lee filed House Resolution No. 2117 on December 2024, stressing that the expiration of these essential drugs, medicines and vaccines, which the DOH allowed to deteriorate without proper utilization or timely action, constitutes a clear dereliction of duty and a violation of their mandate. According to the COA audit report for the year 2023, P11.18 billion worth of drugs, medicines and medical supplies, including over 7 million vials of COVID-19 vaccines that were unused, expired in DOH warehouses and health facilities. Among the reasons cited for such wastage are inadequate procurement planning and poor distribution and monitoring systems. AGRI Party-list, which is running for reelection in the 2025 National and Local Elections underscored the importance of probing this issue to hold the involved officials and personnel accountable, identify underlying systemic issues, and ensure that public health resources are utilized efficiently, properly accounted for, and distributed in a timely and effective manner. It also called on the DOH anew to submit a comprehensive report to Congress detailing the status of all expired supplies, including COVID-19 vaccines, and the steps taken to address the situation. It can be recalled that during the last House Plenary Deliberations on the DOH Budget last September, Lee inquired about the lack of medicines in public hospitals. “Mayroong bilyon-bilyong pondo para sa mga gamot pero bakit kinakailangan pang bumili ng mga kababayan natin sa labas ng ospital? Bakit kailangan pa nilang gumastos para sa gamot kahit na sa charity wards sila naka-admit? Isa pa ito sa dumaragdag sa out-of-pocket expenses nila; dagdag isipin ng may sakit; dagdag pasanin ng pamilya,” AGRI Party-list earlier pointed out. AGRI Party-list has been pushing for free medicines and healthcare services. Through Lee’s leadership, AGRI Party-list was the first to expose that the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) had billions of available funds in September 2023, which then led to the implementation of PhilHealth’s increased benefits after over a decade that it was not updated and no longer responsive to the hospitalization cost of the beneficiaries. “Hindi magiging posible ang ipinaglalaban nating libreng gamot at libreng pagpapagamot kung magpapatuloy ang kapalpakang ito sa gobyerno. Dapat may managot sa mga kapabayaan na nagkakait ng mga serbisyong pangkalusugan para sa mga Pilipino. Buhay at kabuhayan ang nakataya dito,” AGRI Party-list stated. Previous Activities Share the News! Previous Post Latest Posts​ 02 Apr 2025 AGRI RENEWS CALL TO PROBE P11-B EXPIRED MEDICINES, VACCINES IN DOH WAREHOUSES, HEALTH FACILITIES 26 Mar 2025 Ayaw natin ng fake news! AGRI PARTY-LIST SLAMS NON-IMPLEMENTATION OF PHILHEALTH ‘OUTPATIENT EMERGENCY CARE BENEFIT’ PACKAGE 02 Feb 2025 Manoy Wilbert Lee Urges DA to Fast-Track Implementation of P3-B Cold Storage Facilities and Strengthen Supply Monitoring Categories Activities Advocacy Legislation Support Previous Activities 2024 2025

Ayaw natin ng fake news! AGRI PARTY-LIST SLAMS NON-IMPLEMENTATION OF PHILHEALTH ‘OUTPATIENT EMERGENCY CARE BENEFIT’ PACKAGE AGRI Party-list Rep. Manoy Wilbert Lee criticized PhilHealth for not implementing its Outpatient Emergency Care Benefit (OECB), which took effect in January 2024. The package, covering outpatient services like diagnostic tests and emergency treatments, should not require hospital admission. Lee revealed that despite official announcements, hospitals are not honoring the benefit, leaving patients with zero PhilHealth coverage for emergency room expenses. He called for immediate action, stressing the importance of fulfilling PhilHealth’s promises to ease the burden on members. AGRI urges PhilHealth to swiftly address the issue and ensure the effective rollout of OECB, highlighting the need for accessible health benefits for all Filipinos. AGRI Party-list Rep. Manoy Wilbert Lee blasted the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation amid complaints of patients over the failure to implement PhilHealth’s Outpatient Emergency Care Benefit (OECB) package. The OECB package, which took effect in January this year under PhilHealth Circular No. 2024-0033, covers all outpatient services and commodities provided in PhilHealth-accredited healthcare facilities—rendered at the Emergency Department and its extension facilities— including services given before a patient’s arrival, during transport to a health facility, diagnostic tests such as X-ray, MRI, CT Scan and other essential emergency services and medicines. According to the said PhilHealth Circular, this much needed benefit package do not require hospital admission or confinement. “Ayaw natin ng fake news lalo na sa serbisyong pangkalusugan. Hindi natin dapat paasahin sa mga benepisyo ang ating mga kababayan na matagal nang pinagkaitan ng serbisyo na deserve at karapatan nilang matanggap lalo na kung kaya namang ibigay ng PhilHealth sa bilyon-bilyong pondo na meron sila,” Lee said.  The Bicolano lawmaker revealed that he wrote a letter to PhilHealth Acting President and Officer-in-Charge Dr. Edwin Mercado on March 23 to seek clarification on the matter. In the said letter, Lee cited two billing statements from two hospitals where PhilHealth coverage for the emergency room expenses of two different patients was zero, reflecting that the benefit package has not been honored or implemented. “It is regrettable and unacceptable that despite the official announcement of PhilHealth, this ‘outpatient emergency care service’ is neither operational nor available to PhilHealth members in several, if not all hospital across the country,” the solon pointed out. “Time is of the essence on this matter. As time progresses without addressing this issue, every PhilHealth member rushed to every emergency room is burdened with the additional cost to pay,” he added. AGRI Party-list which is running for reelection in the 2025 National and Local elections underscored the importance of addressing this issue the soonest possible time. It urged PhilHealth to update on the status of the outpatient emergency care benefit package and ensure its swift and effective implementation, saying, “It is imperative that the PhilHealth management takes immediate responsibility and addresses this critical issue without further delay.” “Seryoso tayo sa layunin nating libreng gamot at pagpapagamot para sa bawat Pilipino para mabawasan ang kanilang araw-araw na pasanin at pangamba. Kaya kung ano ang ipinangakong dagdag na serbisyong pangkalusugan, dapat tuparin at maramdaman ng bawat miyembro at mga benepisyaryo,” AGRI Party-list said. “Filipinos deserve better, so we must demand better services. Noon pa po natin ipinapanawagan at ipinaglalaban, at kamakailan sa oral arguments ukol sa paglilipat ng pondo sa PhilHealth, ay sinang-ayunan din ng mga Mahistrado sa Korte Suprema na dapat gamitin ang bilyon-bilyong pondo sa kalusugan para sa kalusugan kesa mga proyektong wala naman mamamatay kung hindi gawin,” it added. AGRI Party-list, under Lee’s leadership, was the first to expose that PhilHealth has billions of available funds in September 2023. Lee’s persistent efforts resulted to the implementation of PhilHealth’s increased benefits and free medical services. The said increases include the 30% increase in health benefits which was implemented on February 2024, another 50% increase which started in 2025, free dialysis, free eye check-up and prescription glasses for ages 0-15, free dental care, expanded coverage for breast cancer treatment, new benefit package for kidney transplant and heart ailments, and the said outpatient emergency care services, among others. Previous Activities Share the News! Previous Post Latest Posts​ 29 Mar 2025 Ayaw natin ng fake news! 02 Feb 2025 Manoy Wilbert Lee Urges DA to Fast-Track Implementation of P3-B Cold Storage Facilities and Strengthen Supply Monitoring 29 Jan 2025 Manoy Wilbert Lee Urges DA to Fast-Track Implementation of P3-B Cold Storage Facilities and Strengthen Supply Monitoring Categories Activities Advocacy Legislation Support Previous Activities 2024

Manoy Wilbert Lee Pushes for P3-B Cold Storage Facilities and Long-Term Food Security Solutions The Department of Agriculture (DA) has announced the construction of 99 cold storage facilities nationwide with a P3 billion budget. Manoy Wilbert Lee, AGRI Party-list Representative and Senatorial aspirant, welcomed this move but stressed that supply monitoring and anti-hoarding measures are essential for real impact. Manoy Wilbert Lee: Cold Storage is Only Part of the Solution According to Manoy Wilbert Lee, the lack of cold storage facilities has long been a challenge for local farmers. “This is a great initiative, but it must go hand-in-hand with strict supply monitoring. If hoarders and price manipulators continue unchecked, these facilities will not prevent food price surges,” he warned. Post-Harvest Support Act: Expanding Agricultural Infrastructure Through House Bill No. 3958, also known as the Post-Harvest Facilities Support Act, the DA, together with DPWH, DAR, and DTI, will provide cold storage, dryers, threshers, and transport equipment to farmer cooperatives. This initiative aligns with Manoy Wilbert Lee’s long-term vision for a stronger agricultural sector, reducing post-harvest losses and ensuring better income for local food producers. Preventing Food Hoarding and Price Manipulation Manoy Wilbert Lee has been vocal against hoarders and agricultural economic saboteurs who manipulate food prices for profit. “The Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Law is in place, but we need to enforce it effectively. Supply monitoring should be strict to prevent artificial food shortages and keep prices stable,” he emphasized. Food Security Emergency: Temporary Solution vs. Long-Term Strategy With growing concerns over food supply, Manoy Wilbert Lee acknowledged that the Food Security Emergency could provide short-term relief but stressed the importance of a sustainable strategy. “Declaring a Food Security Emergency may help temporarily, but consistent support for local food producers is the real solution to ensuring affordable and stable food supply for all Filipinos,” he said. Investing in Farmers is Investing in National Security Manoy Wilbert Lee firmly believes that food security is a national security issue. He calls on the government to prioritize funding for farmers and local food producers, emphasizing that they are the key to long-term agricultural stability. “With proper investment in post-harvest facilities, supply monitoring, and agricultural policies, we can protect Filipino consumers from high food prices while ensuring farmers earn fair income,” he concluded. #ManoyWilbertLee #AGRIPartylist #ColdStorage #FoodSecurity #FoodAffordability #FarmersSupport Previous Activities Share the News! Previous Post Latest Posts​ 06 Feb 2025 Manoy Wilbert Lee Urges DA to Fast-Track Implementation of P3-B Cold Storage Facilities and Strengthen Supply Monitoring 29 Jan 2025 Manoy Wilbert Lee Urges DA to Fast-Track Implementation of P3-B Cold Storage Facilities and Strengthen Supply Monitoring 27 Jan 2025 AGRI TO DA: FAST-TRACK BUILDING P3-B WORTH OF COLD STORAGES, IMPLEMENT COMPREHENSIVE SUPPLY MONITORING TO AVOID PRICE SURGE Categories Activities Advocacy Legislation Support Previous Activities 2024