Valenzuela residents get Philhealth cards

The Valenzuela City government has embarked on massive medical assistance to residents of the city through the benefits of Philhealth cards, one of the pro-poor programs of the Arroyo administration.

Last July 23 at the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta, Manila, President Arroyo issued Philhealth cards to 100 beneficiaries representing the "poorest of the poor" families in Metro Manila in the government’s effort to alleviate the condition of the underprivileged by offering free medical assistance.

Valenzuela City Mayor Bobbit Carlos said giving free medical assistance to poor Valenzuela residents is one of the flagship programs of his administration.

"Through the Philhealth card program of President Arroyo, more residents are guaranteed medical assistance in hospitals and health centers," Carlos said.

The City Social Welfare Department (CSWD) of Valenzuela reported that since March of this year, its local government has provided medical assistance to 4,377 families, a big leap from the previous year’s beneficiaries of 1,187.

Philhealth cards assured bearers of free medical assistance, including ECG and X-ray, in all hospitals and health centers in the country.

Carlos vowed to seek out poor residents in every barangay in Valenzuela City as beneficiaries of the Philhealth cards. – EG