PBBM bday gift: P3.19-B aid, free services at Level 3 public hospitals

MANILA: Patients currently in Level 3 public hospitals nationwide no longer need to pay for their bills, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced Friday, saying the government will shoulder their expenses as a present to them on his birthday.

Marcos, who is celebrating his 67th birthday, announced the free health and medical service during the launch of Agri-Puhunan at Pantawid Program in Guimba, Nueva Ecija.

‘Layunin din po naming matulungan ang ating mga kababayan na may pangangailangang medikal. Kaya po sa araw na ito, sasagutin po natin ang lahat ng bayarin ng mga pasyente sa lahat ng pampublikong Level 3 hospital sa bansa (We also aim to help our countrymen who have medical needs. So today, we will cover all the fees of patients in all public level 3 hospitals in the country),’ he said.

Marcos said there would also be mini trade fairs, business counselings and entrepreneurial trainings for those who want to become entrepreneurs.

Marcos said he wants Filipinos to feel the ‘real’ change under his admin
istration.

‘Sa dinami-dami nang puwedeng ipagdiwang sa araw na ito, ang pinaka-espesyal ay ang pagkakataon na maglilingkod sa bawat Pilipino st mailapit ang gobyerno sa taumbayan (Of the many things that can be celebrated on this day, the most special is the opportunity to serve every Filipino and bring the government closer to the people),’ Marcos said.

‘Ang araw na ito ay hindi lamang tungkol sa pagdiriwang kundi sa pagbibigay ng bagong simula at tunay na pagbabago sa huhay ng bawat Pilipino (This day is not only about celebrating but about giving a new beginning and real change in the life of every Filipino),’ he added.

The Presidential Communications Office said the Department of Health would release PHP328 million to 22 tertiary hospitals nationwide to cover the free medical expenses of patients who are confined and undergoing treatment.

All inpatient, outpatient and emergency medical services at level three public hospitals are covered.

In Metro Manila, the participating hospitals include the Phili
ppine General Hospital, Philippine Orthopedic Center, Philippine Heart Center, Philippine Children’s Medical Center, National Kidney and Transplant Institute, Lung Center of the Philippines, Jose R. Reyes Memorial Hospital, and East Avenue Medical Center.

Patients in Luzon can avail free medical services at the Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center, Cagayan Valley Medical Center, Bicol Medical Center, Batangas Medical Center, Batanes General Hospital, and the Dr. Paulino J. Garcia Memorial Medical Center.

Patients in Visayas may visit the Vicente Sotto Memorial Hospital, Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital, Eastern or the Visayas Regional Medical Center for free medical services.

In Mindanao, patients may go to the Amai Pakpak Medical Center, Davao Regional Medical Center, Cotabato Regional Medical Center, Mayor Hilarion Ramiro Sr. Medical Center, or the Zamboanga City Medical Center.

Medical services that will be free to patients in participating hospitals include hospital bills; drugs and me
dicines; laboratory and diagnostic procedures; dental services; implants; therapy and rehabilitative services; chemotherapy; and dialysis.

Financial aid

Also on Friday, Marco gave PHP3.19 billion in financial assistance and government services nationwide through the ‘Handog ng Pangulo: Serbisyong Sapat Para sa Lahat’ Program.

The Handog ng Pangulo: Serbisyong Sapat Para sa Lahat Program was launched simultaneously in 82 provinces, still as part of the celebration of his 67th birthday.

The PCO said the program aims to bring government services closer to the Filipino people, introduce key government programs, and provide assistance to help them start their livelihoods and support their daily needs, especially in calamity-stricken areas.

Participating government agencies include the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Department of Health (DOH), and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Tech
nical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) would also provide government services to the public.

The DTI, on the other hand, would participate in the Kadiwa ng Pangulo activities, as well as conduct business name registrations, business counseling, entrepreneurial training and services, and a mini trade fair.

DOLE earmarked PHP1.38 billion worth of assistance, with PHP1.120 billion to be used for the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) Program and PHP191.83 million for the Integrated Livelihood Program.

It also allocated PHP53.48 million for the Government Internship Program and PHP14.69 million for its Special Program for Employment of Students.

It would provide 66 job fair sites across 58 provinces and 16 regions in the country.

Kadiwa stores will be set up nationwide to provide affordable agricultural products.

Seedlings, fertilizers, and other assistance will also be provided under the Sustainable Livelihood Program and the TUPAD Program.

TESDA would organize
100 skills demonstrations at various sites, offer 7,416 available slots for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) enrollment facilitation in 122 sites, and distribute training support funds to 12,038 beneficiaries, amounting to PHP46.17 million.

It would also provide toolkits worth PHP5.77 million to 1,390 beneficiaries and PHP48.12 million in scholarship grants to 2,224 beneficiaries.

TESDA would also offer free services like haircuts, body massages, and manicures or pedicures, along with products such as brewed coffee and pastry items.

During the launch of the ‘Agri-Puhunan at Pantawid Program’ in Guimba, Nueva Ecija, Marcos said he wanted to celebrate his birthday by giving better government services as a present to his fellow Filipinos.

‘Tunay nga na ang araw na ito ay hindi lamang tungkol sa pagdiriwang, kundi sa pagbibigay ng bagong simula at tunay na pagbabago sa buhay ng bawat Pilipino (It is true that this day is not only about celebration, but about giving a new beginning and tr
ue change in the life of every Filipino),’ Marcos said.

‘Ang lahat ng ito ay naglalayong bigyan ang bawat Pilipino ng bagong pagkakataon upang magtagumpay (All of this aims to give every Filipino a new chance to succeed),’he added.

Source: Philippines News agency