11,000 MILFs receive cards from Philhealth

In support to final Peace Agreement between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Philhealth through President Benigno C. Aquino III distributed 11,000 Philhealth cards to members of Bangsamoro in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, February 12, 2013.

 "Ang tanggapan ng Philhealth ay taos pusong nakiisa at sumusuporta sa programa ng Pangulong Aquino para sa final peace agreement sa ating mga kapatid na MILFs... Nakahanda kaming pumunta sa iba’t ibang pamayanan dito sa Bangsamoro upang turuan ang mga kapatid natin kung paano gamitin ang card, sino ang makikinabang dito, anu ano ang mga benepisyo at marami pang iba."

President Aquino giving Philhealth card to one of the beneficiaries

"Philhealth wholeheartedly support the program of the President for final peace agreement with MILFs... We are prepared to educate Bangsamoro people as to their benefits, coverage and more", Philhealth ARMM Field Operations Division Chief, Pendaliday Beda said.

MILF Chair, Al Haj Murad Ebrahim said that it is his sincerest desire for Filipino Muslims because unmet social services had been their problem.

The gap seemed to be so wide according to Peace Process Secretary Teresita Quintos-Deles but if we only help one another, both peace and progress is attainable.

The President on the other hand said that if it takes his life to settle dispute and reunite people for the sake of unity, he is willing to sacrifice. "May these social services we are giving today lead to lasting peace in Mindanao," he added.

Other government agencies mandated to provide health care services and livelihood projects are the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Department of Agriculture (DA).

Scholarship programs through the Department of Education (Dep-Ed), Commission on Higher Education CHED and TESDA were likewise given to the beneficiaries.

Those who witnessed the said event were the peace negotiators, some Cabinet Secretaries, foreign dignitaries and Philhealth Officers led by Chief Operations Officer Atty. Alex Padilla with Corporate Communications Chief Dr. Israel Francis A. Pargas; Senior Manager for Non Formal Sector Dr. Narisa Portia Sugay and Segment Head of LGU Sponsored Non-Formal Sector, Lourdes Irene Miñosa.

Also present were the Regional Vice Presidents (RVPs) from Philhealth Mindanao led by Area Vice President and concurrent Philhealth XII - RVP, Ramon F. Aristoza, Jr.; Philhealth X - RVP, Datu Masiding M. Alonto, Jr. Philhealth XI – RVP Dennis B.Adre, Philhealth IX – RVP Romeo D.Alberto, Philhealth CARAGA RVP, Johnny Y. Sychua and Philhealth ARMM RVP, Atty. Khaliquzzaman M. Macabato. (hanah g. naanep, philhealthxii)