Rama distributes PhilHealth cards in mountain barangays

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama distributed identification cards of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to 816 indigent families in the mountain barangays of Sinsin, Sudlon 1 and Sudlon 2 yesterday.

The indigent families, mostly farmers, were glad to receive the cards directly from the smiling mayor who visited the mountain barangays about 30 kilometers from the city.

Rama said there were 331 indigent families who are beneficiaries in barangay Sinsin, 146 in Sudlon 1 and 339 in barangay Sudlon II.

They are part of the 38,000 indigent families in 80 barangays of Cebu City who are beneficiaries of the PhilHealth program jointly sponsored by the City Government and National Government.

The City appropriated P22 million for this purpose as it shoulders P600 or half of the P1,200-annual membership fee for each of the beneficiaries. The other P600 is being shouldered by the National Government.

The beneficiaries do not have to pay a single centavo for the health insurance.

In case of confinement at the hospital, the PhilHealth shoulders at least one third of the patients’ bills.

Some of those who received their PhilHealth cards hope the system works because of the experience of some.

A resident of barangay Basak-Pardo said he was given a PhilHealth card during the time of former President Gloria Arroyo but this was not honored when presented to the hospital.

 “Wala man kuno’y pondo, expire na man bisan og diha pa si Gloria sa pwesto.” (We were told there was no budget.)  (FREEMAN)