Many said it will not happen.

Some even dared say, not in this lifetime.

Maybe they have a point - because for 12 years - cancer bills have been filed here and there, and never took off.

But we persevered.

Made it integrated in coverage. Made it national in scope.

Thus the National Integrated Cancer Control Bill was born and this landmark bill has been approved and ratified by both the Senate of the Philippines and the House of Representatives.

So to the Legislators who believed in the fight : THANK YOU!

In the Senate, our champions are: Sen. JV Ejercito, Sen. Sonny Angara Sen. Nancy Binay Sen. Riza Hontiveros and Sen. Loren Legarda

All drew from their respective personal stories and that of their respective policy teams, to ensure the bill is truly responsive to the needs of cancer patients and their families.

In the House of Representatives, we have Cong. Alfred Vargas, the first to file the integrated version. Congw. Helen Tan, who steered the committee with so much dedication for this bill. Congw Geraldine Roman, who echoed the realities on the ground. Congw Bernadette Dy, who embraced the cause with passion. Congw. Chiqui Roa-Puno, who advocated for the patients rights. Former Cong. Karlo Nograles, and now Cabinet Secretary, who found a way to allocate funds for the bill, as Chair of the Appropriations Committee and Cong. Jericho Nograles, whose steadfast support was very critical.

Thank you for feeling the pain of every person living with cancer and their families and taking action by pushing for this bill.

And to those who supported the Coalition in this battle - men, women, children fighting cancer, whose personal stories we will never forget; to the medical community, to different CSOs and NGOs, who put across position papers or shared their expert opinion - this bill will never take off without your support!

We are ending the year with hearts full of gratitude and welcoming the new year with hope - for we can now see that a new era is in the horizon in fighting cancer.

WE PRAY THAT THE PRESIDENT - President Rodrigo Roa-Duterte, signs this into law without delay - so every cancer patient - regardless of age, stage and gender will start looking forward in their respective fight with hope, knowing too well that help - real help is on the way!

Muli, maraming salamat po!