AS the global economies slowly pick up post-pandemic, Asia-Pacific parliamentarians gave their proposals and recommendations on improving regional cooperation on universal health care as well as education and culture at the 31st Annual Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF31).
During the third Plenary Session, presided over by Chairperson Senator Francis Tolentino and Co-chair House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Rep. Raymond Democrito Mendoza, House Committee on Basic Education Chairperson Rep. Roman Romulo, representing the Philippine delegation, remarked how the forum serves as a venue for delegates to air their shared purpose in achieving universal health coverage and fostering resilient health systems.
He emphasized that access to quality health care is a fundamental human right, underscoring that legislators must ensure this is fulfilled. Rep. Romulo lamented that “the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted our collective progress and exacerbated existing hurdles hindering our Region’s strides toward improved health care.”
Despite these challenges, he said lawmakers should ensure that every person has access to the full range of essential health service, regardless of financial capacity and location. “To this end, we must ensure sufficient funding, proper infrastructure, and workforce capacity planning,” he said.
Rep. Romulo pushed for regional cooperation and collaboration by sharing best practices to “pave the way for a healthier future, fostering sustained and inclusive economic development across the region.”
He then took the opportunity to expressed gratitude towards health care workers and front-liners, who answered the call to service in the face of the pandemic, “A grateful nation should never forget.”
For his part, Senate Committee on Basic Education Chairperson Senator Sherwin Gatchalian advocated the reduction of barriers in cross border education to make it easier for students to study abroad. “By doing so, we are not only promoting our education, but also our cultures,” he said.
