Nag-file sa House of Congress ng House Resolution Number 1724 ang aktor at Quezon City District V House Representative Alfred Vargas na hinihimok ang Department of Budget and Management na maglaan ng isang bilyong piso (Php1 billion) mula sa available savings para madagdagan ang budget ng Department of Health at Department (DOH) of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Ang karagdagang budget ay ilalaan sa amelioration o improvement assistance para sa mga biktima ng controversial Dengvaxia vaccines, sa pamamagitan ng counselling, medical aid, at emergency economic assistance sa mga pamilya na apektado.
Ang Dengvaxia ang itinuturong dahilan ng pagkamatay ng ilang batang naturukan nito, bagamat wala pang malinaw o opisyal na pagsusuri ukol dito.
Pahayag ni Alfred, "Public health is for everyone, especially to the vulnerable members of our society.
"Ang gusto natin na mangyari, basta Pilipino ka, mayaman man o mahirap, may access ang lahat sa reliable healthcare."
Eksklusibong nakausap ng PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) si Alfred ngayong Lunes, February 26.
Patuloy ng actor-politician, "Bilang isang ama, naiintindihan ko ang nararamdaman na sentimiyento ng mga magulang ng mga bata na naturukan ng Dengvaxia.
"They are worried and they can’t help but lash out at those responsible for the dengue vaccination program.
"For the meantime, let’s stop blaming each other, but instead let’s all be prepared and cooperate."
Isa-isang ipinaliwanag ni Alfred ang kanyang mga layunin sa filing ng House Resolution No. 1724.
"While the Sanofi Pasteur [Dengvaxia manufacturer] has refunded the DOH the amount of P1.16 billion representing the unused Dengvaxia vaccines, it has turned down the Health Department’s demand to reimburse the full P3.5 billion for the used and unused vaccines, stating that agreeing to the demand will be an admission that Dengvaxia does not work.
"What is worse is that the Dengvaxia maker has also rejected the DOH’s request to financially support the vaccinated children who are, or maybe, hospitalized.
"The whole controversy has caused not only panic and paranoia among the vaccinated children and their parents, but also mental and emotional trauma among the families of children who have died.
"There is an urgent need for the government to provide funding, whether or not Sanofi Pasteur decides to reimburse the DOH the full amount paid for the Dengvaxia vaccines, to finance the needed cure or medical care for the vaccinated children, as well as for counselling and emergency economic assistance to the families of the deceased victims."
Sinabi rin ng Kambal Karibal actor na maaaring kunin mula sa savings ng 2017 National Budget ang P1 billion na karagdagang pondong hinihiling niya na ipagkaloob sa DOH at DSWD.