Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada has distributed some 1,708 PhilHealth cards to indigent residents and persons with disabilities as part of the city government’s health insurance program to alleviate their burden of the high cost of hospitalization and medical services.
The city chief executive led the ceremonial distribution of the PhilHealth ID cards to residents of Baseco, Districts 1 to 6 at the San Andres Sports Complex on Friday.
Estrada said the indigent were recipients of the expanded Philhealth program implemented in line with the city’s accelerated health program, to ensure that the marginalized and deserving residents of the city will have something to turn to in cases of health problems and emergencies.
The mayor said he wants all poor Manileños enrolled to PhilHealth, citing the high cost of hospitalization in the country, including medicines, laboratory fees, and other medical expenses. He vowed that all qualified families of 896 barangays in Manila will be given PhilHealth cards.
The National Health Insurance Act states that the government should give priority to health as a strategy for achieving economic development and improving the quality of life.
“The PhilHealth ID cards can be used for persons who need to undergo dialysis, chemotherapy and cataract operations,” Estrada said.
He thanked Manila Department of Social Welfare chief Nanet Tanyag for initiating the project aimed to provide quality medical service to thousands of Manilenos.
As local government-sponsored Philhealth members, the beneficiaries are entitled to benefits enjoyed by regular members.
The mayor also said all poor Manileños are entitled to subsidized hospitalization, medicines, and healthcare services in the city’s six newly modernized public hospitals.
Senior citizens receive free maintenance medicines through the Manila Health Department.
