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Delon Porcalla - The Philippine Star
February 9, 2026 | 12:00am
Magnified "cancer" text from a newspaper.
Image by PDPics from Pixabay
MANILA, Philippines — In line with National Cancer Awareness Month, the national government has earmarked a total of P2.5 billion this year to help cancer-stricken indigent patients cope with the disease.
House minority leader and 4Ps party-list Rep. Marcelino Libanan said that Congress has allotted the amount in the 2026 General Appropriations to fund cancer prevention and patient care.
Libanan explained that out of the P2.5 billion, about P1.5 billion will be set aside for the Cancer Assistance Fund (CAF) and P1 billion under the Cancer Control Program (CCP) of the Department of Health (DOH).
“Both the CAF and the CCP are lifelines for cancer patients fighting for survival. This fresh funding means earlier detection, faster treatment, and better care — especially for patients who cannot afford it,” Libanan said.
The country is observing National Cancer Awareness Month this February.
The CAF provides direct financial support for cancer screening, diagnosis, treatment, and laboratory services, benefiting patients, survivors and individuals at high risk. The fund is accessible through DOH-run hospitals and public cancer centers nationwide.
Meanwhile, the CCP focuses on prevention and long-term care, including the procurement of medicines, supportive therapy and palliative services.
“Cancer patients need continuous care, pain management, and dignity throughout treatment,” Libanan added.
“No Filipino should have to delay cancer treatment because of cost. The CAF ensures that help is available when it’s needed most,” said Libanan, who proposed a House bill that would establish a Centralized Patient Record System to improve health care delivery nationwide.
The DOH has identified priority cancer types such as breast, lung, liver, childhood, gynecologic, head and neck, colorectal, prostate, kidney and bladder cancers, which account for a large share of cancer-related deaths.
Cancer remains as the country’s second leading cause of death, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority, with an average of 96 deaths daily and 184 cases diagnosed per 100,000 population.
