10,000 Indigents in Lebak & Kalamansig received PhilHealth Cards

Through the National Household Targeting System (NHTS), 10,601 identified indigents from Lebak and Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat received free cards from Philhealth with validity period until December 31, 2011.

Said cards can be utilized through their respective Rural Health Units (RHUs) for outpatient care services, 6-month treatment of tuberculosis and maternity related benefit from pre natal to post natal and family planning services for women aged 19-35 years without complicated record relative to other physical and mental illness.

It can also be used for hospitalization to cover room and board, drugs and medicines, x-ray, laboratory and others including doctors’ fees and surgical procedures from hospitals and other accredited health care providers.

“If we are going to give money, it will be consumed right away but if we give these cards, it will go a long, long way. So, please keep it and present only to your doctors in the hospitals and RHUs in times of sickness,” Field Operations Division Chief, Dr. Miriam Grace G. Pamonag said.

Lebak Municipal Health Officer, Dr. Johnny Y. Tan and Kalamansig MHO, Dr. Ma. Fe Oruta committed to deliver the necessary services not only in terms of benefits but also for the clients’ membership records and amendments.

Members who have not declared qualified dependents upon registration may amend their record by submitting photocopy of their marriage contract, children’s and parents’ birth certificate through their respective MHOs.

Per Philhealth’s implementing rules and regulations, only the legal spouse, parents 60 years old and above, legitimate, legitimated, illegitimate, step and adopted children 20 years old and below may avail of the benefits provided they are declared as dependents in the Member Data Record.

Lebak Mayor Dionesio Besana committed to conduct free mass wedding per barangay in order to release marriage contracts for unwed couples and birth certificate for illegitimate children.

“Those who have not received today should not worry because there will be more next year. I really wish the entire people of Lebak will receive the same cards from Philhealth. Let us help one another to by making use of these properly.” Besana said.

There are 7,081 Philhealth cards distributed in Lebak and all of them must be utilized for Philhealthbenefits only, for immediate family members and not for other purposes Isulan Service Office Head, Lea A. Espejo said.

Kalamansig Mayor Rolando P. Garcia on the other hand, said that the delivery of services to his municipality comes from love for service of its leaders and whatever it has right now; Philhealth, 4Ps, pantawid pasada, etc; they are for those who love and those who do not love Kalamansig.

To determine Philhealth’s coverage in the entire area, survey forms were released by the Public Affairs Unit through teachers from the elementary to secondary schools which the latter promised to fill out on behalf of their students.

The result is expected to be known after said forms would already be delivered and checked against Philhealth’s membership database through Isulan Service Office. (HGN)