News
Health Insurance Coverage for 60,000 CAFGUAAs - August 18, 2010
Aquino gives his remarks after the MOA signing
THE Philippine Army (PA) recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to provide health insurance coverage to almost 60,000 members of the Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Active Auxiliary (CAFGUAA) nationwide.
(Left) Aquino and Ortiz sign the MOA
In signing ceremonies held at the Officer's Club House at Fort Bonifacio, Major General Arturo B. Ortiz of the Armed Forces of the Philippines said that the move to enrol the CAFGUAAs and their families into PhilHealth's Sponsored Program was prompted by the realization that they are equally vulnerable to risks against safety, as such "it is but necessary that we put premium on the lives and limbs of our CAAs as well as of their families." Some 59,948 CAA personnel in the entire PA network are expected to benefit from this new development.
Signatories to the MOA were PhilHealth officers led by Dr. Rey B. Aquino, PhilHealth President and CEO; Tito M. Mendiola, Senior Vice President for Operations and concurrent Area Vice President for Mindanao; and Atty. Alex B. Cañaveral, OIC-SVP for Legal Services Sector. Aside from Ortiz, others who signed for the PA were Chief of Staff, BGen. Renato A. David, AFP; Col. Buenaventura C. Pascual, INF (MNSA) PA, AC of S for Operations; and Col. Marian C. Aleido JAGS (GSC), Army Judge Advocate.
(Left) Ortiz hands over to Aquino a simple token of appreciation for forging alliance with the Philippine Army. Looking on is David
The agreement calls for PhilHealth to provide the CAFGUAAs and their legal dependents with inpatient and outpatient medical care benefit packages, including outpatient consultation and diagnostic services through accredited institutional and professional health care providers. Initially, the CAFGUAAs will be covered for a year, but their coverage is renewable.
The CAFGUAA, also called Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit or Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit, is an irregular auxiliary of the AFP. Through Executive Order No. 264 issued in July 1987, Civilian Defense Forces were mobilized to prevent the re-infiltration of insurgents into communities that have already been cleared of their influence by combat operations conducted by regular units of the AFP.
(Left) Pascual, David, Aquino, Ortiz and Col. Marian C. Aleido JAGS during the MOA signing at the Officer's Club, Ricarte Hall, Fort Andres Bonifacio, Manila
Recognizing the vital role of the CAFGUAA as an important arm in its anti-insurgency campaign and the assistance it provides in times of war, invasion, rebellion and disaster or calamities, the PA initiated the formulation and development of support systems in organizations such as training, equipage, administration of CAA's and the provision of health care benefits through PhilHealth.
Aquino reiterated the need to ensure that the hospital facility where the CAFGUAAs are admitted and the attending physicians are accredited to fully enjoy their PhilHealth benefits. (END)