The Taguig City government has announced the opening of a satellite pharmacy for residents of the Enlisted Men’s Barrio (EMBO) barangays, following a Supreme Court (SC) ruling that shut down health centers in these areas.
The pharmacy, situated on the second floor of the Genesis Building, 19th Avenue, J.P. Rizal Extension, East Rembo, offers free medicines that were prescribed through telemedicine consultation from the pharmacy.
City officials said free maintenance medicines are also available if prescribed in the past three months.
The pharmacy is open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The SC has ruled that the 10 Embo barangays, previously under the control of Makati, are under the jurisdiction of Taguig City, referring to Barangays Cembo, Comembo, Pembo, East Rembo, West Rembo, South Cembo, Pitogo, Post Proper Northside, Post Proper Southside, and Rizal.
The Makati City government previously stated that residents of the said barangays are no longer eligible for its subsidized healthcare program under the Yellow Card program due to the expiration of their licenses to operate.
The High Court’s decision has resulted in the invalidation of Yellow Cards starting January 1, 2024, unless residents are employees of the Makati City government. The licenses to operate health centers and lying-in clinics in the villages have also expired, leading to the closure of these facilities.
Some residents expressed dismay over the loss of their benefits under the yellow cards programs of Makati, as they were already used to receiving discounts whenever they sought healthcare.
Taguig City Mayor Laarni Cayetano stated that there was no need for a health card to be accommodated at their hospital.
Previously, yellow card patients at the Ospital ng Makati with hospital bills amounting to P5,000 or less are not required to pay. However, those with hospital bills exceeding P5,000 were charged a uniform rate of P500, even if the amount reached six or seven digits. Cardholders were also given access to free medicines, including maintenance medicines for hypertension, diabetes, and other diseases.
