Celso gets universal coverage award for healthcare
Mayor Celso Lobregat shows off the award he received from Philhealth President and CEO Dr. Rey Aquino (left) for achieving universal coverage in the health assurance program during the "Pasasalamat sa Partners" highlighting Philhealth's 15th anniversary celebration February 12 at the PICC in Manila. (JOEY BAUTISTA)
In celebration of its 15th anniversary Friday, the Philhealth conferred on Mayor Celso Lobregat a plaque of recognition for achieving universal coverage in the health insurance program assuring Zamboangueño constituents access to quality healthcare services.
Zamboanga is the only city in Western Mindanao declared as a universal coverage area in terms of implementing the Philhealth program pursuant to Republic Act 7875.
Lobregat personally received the award from PHILHEALTH President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Rey Aquino and other health officials in a ceremony dubbed “Pasasalamat ss Partners” held at the Reception Hall of the PICC in Manila with President Gloria Arroyo as keynote speaker.
Other local government units, government and private institutions and partner agencies were feted during the formal program highlighting the 15th anniversary of Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, an attached agency of the Department of Health and is mandated to provide social health insurance coverage in 15 years time.
Because of sound fiscal management, Zamboanga City under Mayor Lobregat, is one of the most active partners of the Philhealth in health care.
When he was elected mayor in 2004, there were 3,997 beneficiaries with an appropriation of P2.39 million. This increased to 5,000 and then in 2009, the number of beneficiaries increased to 6,500 with an appropriation of P 3.9 million. With the passage of the 2009 Supplemental Budget, the number of beneficiaries rose to 14,000 with an appropriation P8.7 million.
The program expanded to include cooperatives like MEMPCO and People’s Micro-finance where 10,000 new beneficiaries were enrolled with an assistance of P1.2 million was implemented.
For 2010, Lobregat programmed allocation for 18,000 regular beneficiaries and 12,000 beneficiaries for the MEMPCO and People’s Micro-finance. A total of P12.2 million have been appropriated for these beneficiaries.
“From 3,997 in 2004, now there will be 30,000 beneficairies and the appropriation increased from from P2.39 million to P12.2 million,” the mayor said in his state of the city report delivered before the City Council last January 28, stressing that the program is a pro-poor policy and program.
He emphasized that the city was able to increase the number of Philhealth beneficiaries because of the improved and stable financial condition of the city.
It was for this very reason, he said that the city was able to give, for the first time in 2007, an honoraria of P300 monthly per Barangay volunteer health worker. At the beginning of 2009, this was increased to P500 and with the passage of the 2009 Supplemental Budget, this was further increased to P1,000 monthly. For 2010 this P1,000 monthly allowance for 460 barangay health workers translates to P5.5 million.
Accompanying the mayor during the awarding ceremonies in Manila were City Social Welfare Officer Francisco Barredo and PHILHEALTH Regional and City personnel led by Mr. Nadz Sajili. (Sheila Covarrubias)