Senator Antonio “Sonny” F. Trillanes IV expressed gratitude to President Benigno Aquino III for signing into law his proposal to institutionalize research and development in the country's health system as a way of boosting information and prevention of diseases.
“I am grateful to the President for signing this into law. I believe that the best defense against illness is information and prevention. Knowing what to expect, from a medical point of view, can make things more manageable,” said Trillanes, principal author of the legislation now known as the Philippine National Health Research System Act of 2013.
The law will institutionalize the Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS) to connect health research to the needs of health system, the engagement of partnerships and networks both national and international for health research development, and the sustainability of health research resources.
“Our country's ability to ensure optimum health for every Filipino is determined by the degree of priority we grant to health research and development activities, and this law is a vital step in attaining this goal,” Trillanes added.
This is one of the laws put forward by Trillanes, who won a fresh mandate in the May 13 elections. The young legislator is one of the most productive senators in the 14th and 15th Congress, having filed 734 bills and resolutions, 33 of which became law.
