00:00 President Bombon Marcos answered the issue of traffic and the increase of contributions to PhilHealth.
00:06 Here is the exclusive interview of Part 2 of GMA Integrated News.
00:10 PR Kanghel has the first news.
00:13 While we were in the President's airplane, the presidential chopper was driving.
00:20 We talked about traffic.
00:23 When you get here, for example, over Metro Manila, do you see the traffic?
00:29 Of course, yes.
00:32 People think you cannot avoid traffic.
00:37 Even if you have a chopper, if you're just within the city, you don't take the chopper.
00:45 And the other thing that I try to avoid is to cause traffic.
00:50 Because when I go to... I feel embarrassed sometimes.
00:54 Because when I go to... everybody has to stop, everybody has to...
00:59 So I try as little as possible to cause traffic.
01:03 And then of course, yes, I'm trying to maximize my time.
01:06 This weekend at the Coldplay concert, Chris Martin himself was the vocalist.
01:11 He took the heavy traffic that their fans had to carry to get to the venue.
01:17 The President's solution to the traffic problem is a good and effective public transport system.
01:23 This includes the addition of ferry stations along the Pasig River.
01:27 It's under rehabilitation, but it will displace the thousands of residents living on the riverbank.
01:35 There is a plan already.
01:36 Once we are identified along the Pasig River, we will identify the so-called transition areas
01:44 where we will build temporary lodgings for those who are now squatters.
01:54 They will be placed there while they are building their housing.
01:58 In the end, the plan is for them to all have housing.
02:01 The last visit of the President was to the Long Center of the Philippines.
02:05 From 1979 to 1982, they were able to build at least the majority of the facilities that are here now.
02:14 That's important. It's the most important. Your health is the most important thing.
02:19 At one point, Health Secretary Ted Herbosa joined the meeting
02:22 to discuss the increase in contributions of members of PhilHealth.
02:27 Sir, so the study is ongoing, whether the contributions should be increased or not?
02:33 It's all cost-benefit. It's really all cost-benefit.
02:36 If we increase, for example, the increase of contribution of PhilHealth from 4% to 5%,
02:43 I'm looking at it and I say, "If you're going to increase it, just show the other side of that.
02:49 What will be the increase in services? What will you be able to cover? What more will you be able to cover?"
02:56 But sir, you're not leaning towards any particular decision yet in regards to increasing the contribution?
03:05 Because it's very hard to quantify. It's very hard to quantify health.
03:13 How much is it worth to you? It's worth different things to different people.
03:19 Sir, thank you so much. Thank you for taking time out to be with us and talk to us, sir.
03:25 Thank you for the chance to talk to you and to your audience.
03:30 This is the first news. PR Kanghel for GMA Integrated News.
03:36 [News broadcast]
03:49 [Music]
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