News
QC, Kalookan Indigents Receive Health
Cards from PGMA -
May 10, 2006
President Gloria Arroyo recently distributed health cards to more than 7,000 poor residents in Quezon and Kalookan Cities during ceremonies held at the Amoranto Stadium in Quezon City. “We give importance to health, job, education and health services to our countrymen,” Arroyo said. Assisting Arroyo during the distribution ceremonies were (L-R): Lorna O. Fajardo, Acting PhilHealth President and CEO, QC Vice Mayor Herbert Bautista, Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III and QC Mayor Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte.
In her speech, Arroyo ordered the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to release P500 million to the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to help pay for the premium contributions of indigent families nationwide. “Ang gusto natin ay makinabang ang marami…. na magkaroon ng pagkakataon na pag nagkasakit, makakapasok sa napakaraming magaganda at magagaling na ospital dito sa Metro Manila,” she said.
Representatives of the local DSWD are shown facilitating the release of the PhilHealth cards to indigent members on the list.
In an interview with Faudia Subillaga of the PhilHealth Corporate Communications Office, Belmonte said that “…dito sa Quezon City, making tulong ang nagagawa ng PhilHealth…ang national at local government, we subsidize the cost of PhilHealth for the poor. Para dun sa may kaya naman, they take care of it themselves and it’s been very good and the usage has been increasing.”