LEGAZPI CITY (31 January) -- After Typhoon Reming battered Bicol last November 30 particularly the provinces of Albay and Catanduanes, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) released the PhilHealth Capitation Fund amounting to P1.43 million to seven towns in Albay, five towns in Catanduanes, and Legazpi City.

This will be used by the said local government units in providing outpatient health benefits to affected residents, PhilHealth Bicol regional director Orlando D. Iñigo said.

The recipient towns in Albay are as follows: 1) Bacacay - P62,843.48; 2) Camalig - P62,475.00; 3) Jovellar - P65,066.67; 4) Polangui - P25,393.33; 5) Malilipot - P169,455; 6) Malinao - P565,200.51; 7) Tiwi - P95,905; and 8) Legazpi City - P292,610.

For Catanduanes, the recipient towns were Bagamanoc -P265,300.87; Baras - P38,647.50; Panganiban -P6,075; San Andres - P93,922.03; and San Miguel -P4,365.49. Another PCF amounting to P202,254.78 was given to the town of San Andres under Provincial Government sponsorship.

Inigo said the PCF is released quarterly by PhilHealth to towns and cities that continuously support and implement the PhilHealth-sponsored program or Medicare Para sa Masa by enrolling identified poor residents in PhilHealth.

These families won't have to pay any premium contribution since their membership is sponsored by any of the following: the local government unit, the provincial government, a private organization, or a congressman. The amount of PCF received by the local government unit depends on the number of families enrolled in PhilHealth.

The PCF is used by the Health Center or the Rural Health Unit of the town/city to provide outpatient benefits to enrolled PhilHealth Medicare para sa Masa members. Among these benefits are free consultation, free chest, x-ray, free medicines, and free laboratory tests.