GUAGUA – 6,394 indigents from this town received free members data record (MDR) from the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth) and Gov. Lilia ‘Nanay’ Pineda yesterday.
The distribution of MDRs which was held respectively at Guagua Elementary School in Poblacion, San Agustin Betis Covered Court, San Antonio Covered Court and Natividad Covered Court is aimed at providing help for the poorest of the poor which is being carried out by the Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth) and the provincial government headed by Gov. Pineda.
The governor said Philhealth MDRs are very important to the indigents as they need not worry about the hospitalization and regular check-up of their family members.
She also reminded the beneficiaries that they will not pay a single centavo because they are entitled to the no balance billing policy of Philhealth.
“When you feel ill and you need to undergo medication, approach your barangay health workers, barangay captains or nurses sa nayon, or go directly to the nearest district or provincial hospital,” said the governor.
After the activity, the beneficiaries cheered and applauded the governor and the officials of Philhealth for the program made specifically for them.
Ma Theresa Dela Cruz, one of the recipients from Betis said the free health insurance will be of great help for her family especially her 10-year old son who is suffering from cerebral palsy.
“Maragul ya talagang sawup ing binye da uling aku ali ku talaga makapagobra uling babanten ke ing anak ku. Ing asawa ku naman mag-extra-extra ya mu at ala yang permanenting obra,” dela Cruz said.
According to Dr. Antonio ‘Jay’ Rivera, officer-in-charge of the Provincial Health Office, aside from the free MDR given to Dela Cruz, the provincial government will also give necessary assistance to her child.
“Nag-usap kami ni governor at ang plano namin isustain ang kanyang nutrisyon. Every month pupunta siya sa’min at bibigyan namin siya ng kanyang daily sustenance at the same time ipapa-EEG namin siya para alamin kung saan nanggagaling ‘yong epilepsy niya. Bibigyan din namin siya ng gamot at tutulungan ‘yung nanay niya na alagaan siya,” Rivera said.
Also present during the activity were board member Jun Dimson, former board member Fritzie David-Dizon, PSWDO Elizabeth Baybayan, Guagua Mayor Dante Torres, Sangguniang Bayan members of Guagua headed by Vice Mayor Tonton Twaño, personnel from the Provincial Treasurer’s Office, and other local officials.
By Liezel Cayanan
