For 19 years, Senator Pia S. Cayetano has built a track record for getting the tough job done for the welfare of Filipinos. As the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Sustainable Development Goals, Innovation, and Futures Thinking, she works to align laws and policies with the country’s SDG commitments, and future-proof crucial sectors with the aid of future thinking tools.
Senator Pia advocates for a future-proof health care system and sustainable investments in health, especially for human resources for health. The Sin Tax Reform Laws of 2012 and 2020 were among her major contributions to health legislation. These laws sought to generate sustainable funding for healthcare by imposing higher taxes on ‘sin’ products, including tobacco, alcoholic drinks, and e-cigarettes. At the same time, higher sin taxes aim to curb addiction to these harmful products – especially among the youth.
Senator Pia also led the passage of the country’s first Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act, as well as the Mandatory Infants and Children Health Immunization Act. Her work acknowledges the dual role of women in society as primary caregivers in the home, and as active members of the workforce. To this end, she worked for the passage of the 105 Days Expanded Maternity Leave Act, Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act, and Magna Carta of Women.
She also authored and worked extensively on the Inclusive Education Bill, and co-authored the Excellence in Teacher Education Act. Her other education measures include the Ladderized Education Act, Open Distance Learning Act, Open High School System Act, and the Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education Act. All these measures sought to ensure universal access to quality education at all levels.
She also fights for the rightful share of education and health in the national budget as Senior Vice Chair of the Senate Finance Committee. Senator Pia is actively engaged in global inter-parliamentary work. She was recently elected as a bureau member of the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s (IPU) Standing Committee on United Nations Affairs. She also chairs the Asia and Pacific Regional Chapter of UNITE, a network of parliamentarians for global health. Previously, she served as President of the IPU Women’s Bureau from 2008 to 2010.
For fighting for women’s reproductive rights Senator Pia was recognized by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Senator Pia continues to pursue this advocacy by sponsoring maternal and child healthcare seminars for mothers and community health workers around the country.
Most recently, she was one of the recipients of the 2023 World No Tobacco Day Award. This is a recognition given by the World Health Organization to individuals and groups around the globe for their outstanding work in tobacco control and health promotion. A lawyer, triathlete, and mother. Senator Pia S. Cayetano embodies a Pinay In Action and a woman leader for our times.