CITY governments from the National Capital Region have unanimously expressed their support to the ALAGA KA (para sa Maayos na Buhay) Program launched by no less than President Benigno S. Aquino III himself in Quezon City recently.

ALAGA KA is a multi-agency and multi-sectoral initiative led by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), Department of Health (DOH) and the Local Government Units (LGUs) to ensure that basic health services reach and are maximized by their intended recipients most especially the poor.

In simple ceremonies held after President Aquino’s speech, Metro Manila cities have enlisted their support to ALAGA KA by signing in the Commitment Wall which read: "Recognizing the value of accessible quality health care to families, we commit to work together to strengthen primary health care in the Philippines to realize the goals of Kalusugan Pangkalahatan".

The ceremony underscored the readiness of LGUs in making the ALAGA KA program work and the team spirit with which the program’s stakeholders intend to uphold for the benefit of the underprivileged.

In his speech earlier, President Aquino urged the LGUs to actively bring these services and to closely work with the National Government to better serve even those in very remote areas of the country.

"Kapag masigasig tayo sa paghahatid ng serbisyo at maayos ang ating ugnayan lalo na sa pambansang pamahalaan, tiyak na uugong ang magagandang balita hanggang sa mga pinakaliblib na kanayunan. Makakaasa naman ang mga kapwa natin pinuno: anumang problema na hindi ninyo kayaning mag-isa, ipaabot lang ninyo sa amin at magkasama natin itong tutugunan," Aquino said.

The commitment signing was led by DOH Secretary and PhilHealth Board Chair Enrique T. Ona, PhilHealth President and CEO Alexander A. Padilla, Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) Executive Director Czarina Medina-Guce, and Philippine Academy of Family Physicians President Dr Alex Alip.

Among the Metro Manila cities represented in the commitment signing are Caloocan, Makati, Mandaluyong, Malabon, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Navotas, Pasay, Pasig, Municipality of Pateros, Quezon City, San Juan and Taguig. END