Manila, Jan. 9 -- A Senate measure is pushing for the establishment of a PHP10 billion Cancer Medicine and Treatment Assistance Fund that will cover the cost of treatment of indigent Filipinos.

Under Senate Bill No. 1057 filed by Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, the fund will help cover the costs of cancer diagnostics, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery and maintenance medicines.

The program will be administered by the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) through its accredited government hospitals in every congressional district, ensuring that proper assistance reach patients in their communities.

The fund will specifically benefit indigent and underprivileged cancer patients, to be identified by PhilHealth in coordination with the D...