City's PhilHealth beneficiaries reach 20T
City Mayor Jerry Treñas said PhilHealth card beneficiaries in the city doubled this year reaching to 20,000 compared in 2007 which is only 10,000. The city will pay some P12 million as premium for its PhilHealth program for the city's indigents.
The number doubled after the city government took charge of the PhilHealth programs extended by the national government. In 2007, the city paid P6 million as premium. There are 1,935 persons who availed of the PhilHealth cards.
Treñas said unlike before, the people now see the importance of the PhilHealth program, reason why many have wanted to avail of the health card. It is very helpful especially when a person gets sick and needs hospitalization, he said.
Treñas said the city government is giving priority to health concerns. Aside from the big budget for the PhilHealth premiums, the city is giving importance on the establishment of four new barangay health centers and expansion of PhilHealth card coverage for the beneficiaries.
He said a two-storey barangay health center at Tanza Esperanza, in the city proper will soon be completed and another one is set to be constructed at the waterfront area. The third and fourth health centers will be constructed at Lapuz and Bo, Obrero, respectively, to cater to the health needs of the residents.
The mayor said it his commitment to the people to develop district health centers and make all health services accessible to the residents. The health centers will have all the amenities and services offered at the City Health Office (CHO). They do not need to go to CHO to avail free medical services, he said.