NAGA CITY ---- PhilHealth Regional Office V recently turned over part of the proceeds of the PhilHealth Run 2015 to one of its beneficiaries, the Naga City Children’s Home (NCCH). A check amounting to Php 400,000 was personally received by City Mayor John Bongat, together with Councilor Elmer Baldemoro of the Committee for Children, and City Social Welfare Officer Belle Alvargas at the NCCH in Pacol.

Also present in behalf of Regional Vice President Orlando D. Inigo, Jr. were PRO V Chief for Management Services Division, Lorena M. Rubis, and Acting Head of the Public Affairs, Annielyn Z. San Pablo.

The proceeds were part of the Php1.1 million funds raised during the PhilHealth Ready, TSeKaP, Go Run held on February 15, 2015 in Naga City for the benefit of the NCCH and the Agta Tabangnon Tribe of Buhi, Camarines Sur. More than 4, 000 runners joined the event to help provide the very basic needs of the children housed in the NCCH and to help build a Lake Ambulance for the Indigenous Peoples of Buhi, Camarines Sur.

Iñigo chose Naga City as one of the main beneficiaries because he wanted to shift focus from the region to one of the most urbanized cities in the country, with the highest number of indigent members needing leverage from the government. Through the Run, PRO V was able to help the NCCH in the improvement of the sleeping quarters of the children who are temporarily housed there. As of January 2016, there are 38 residents in the Home, with ages ranging from 7- 17, sharing bed spaces. The Home is set to provide double deck beds and cabinets for these children, making their sleeping conditions more comfortable.

Baldemoro states that Naga City will also provide counterpart funds to further improve the Home. Both PhilHealth and the City Government of Naga hope to finish these projects before the year ends. (END)