Lobregat distributes PhilHealth cards to 3,615 coop members
Mayor Celso Lobregat distributes health insurance cards to members of the People's Microfinance Cooperative under the city's expanded PHILHEALTH program in a simple program held at the City Coliseum in Tetuan Friday. (JOEY BAUTISTA)
Some 3,615 members of the People’s Micro Finance Cooperative (PMFC) received yesterday their PhilHealth insurance cards, courtesy of the city government under the administration of Mayor Celso Lobregat.
This brings to almost 20,000 the total number of beneficiaries from the different sectors that Mayor Lobregat enrolled in the government’s basic health insurance program, making Zamboanga City the first in Region 9 to achieve the “universal coverage” status in PhilHealth grant.
On behalf of the cooperative members, Mary Ann Habagat, general manager of PMFC, expressed her sincerest thanks and gratitude to the city government led by Mayor Lobregat for the insurance assistance, saying it is a big help to the members who are mostly urban poor.
Lobregat explained that the program is a result of the active partnership between the city government, the PhilHealth and the two leading cooperatives in the city, namely the PMFC and the MEMPCO, whose member have also been insured by the city.
The mayor further explained that the insurance grant is one government program he hopes the beneficiaries would not use because if they do, it means either the member or his/her beneficiary is sick. “Quiere kame bueno el de ustedes salud. Pero si usa man, at least bien grande ayuda el PhilHealth,” he explained, adding that for as long as he is the mayor, the insurance grant will continue and be renewed.
The distribution of PhilHealth cards was held at the Mayor Vitaliano D. Agan gym in Tetuan. Joining the program were Councilors Nonong Guingona and Rudy Lim together with PhilHealth officials.
Early on, Lobregat motored to Sangali in the east coast where he sworn in the officers of a community organization for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goal. (Vic Larato)