Davao Norte poor to get Philhealth cards soon
by JMD Abangan
Tagum City (16 July) -- From the unemployed to low-income earners, all poor heads of families in Davao del Norte will soon become holders of Philhealth cards which they could use for their hospitalization and that of their dependents.
Davao del Norte provincial government is requesting the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation to conduct a briefing on how to implement the Universal Philhealth coverage.
In an interview with the media, Davao del Norte Provincial Governor Rodolfo P. del Rosario said he wanted all indigents in the province to be covered by such Philhealth program.
It may seem complicated because most of the local chief executives including congressional offices are sponsoring Philhealth coverage for their constituents but del Rosario is hoping to work it out with local governments at the municipal and city levels.
Del Rosario wanted to continue what he had started before leaving office as governor in 2004 when his administration allotted about P6 million for Philhealth coverage.
Now, he has plans of enlisting more beneficiaries and "cover all indigents through the Universal Philhealth coverage."
In a separate interview, Philhealth Information Officer II Bernadith Ipanag said the Universal Philhealth program is a way of realizing the agency's goal of providing hospitalization and health care benefits to every Filipino.
The program charges P100 monthly premium which "balot vendors, jeepney drivers, househelpers and other low-income earners can afford to pay," Ipanag said.
While encouraging individual coverage, Philhealth welcomes sponsorships of local government units which want to put their money on healthcare benefits for the "poorest of the poor".
Every Philhealth card holder can extend coverage to five dependents who can also avail of hospitalization benefits, maternity care, new born care, Tubercolosis (TB) DOTS among others. (PIA) [top]