Nabunturan among Philhealth-DOH ALAGA’s nationwide launch

Compostela Valley Province-- In a nationwide launch done simultaneously, Nabunturan represents Region XI for the launching of the program “ALAGA KA para sa Maayos na Buhay” on March 24, 2014 held at the Nabunturan National Comprehensive High School Gym.

This is in line with the national government’s efforts, through the Department of Health (DOH) and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth) in coordination with local government units and the private sector, to ensure that the 14.7 million families enrolled are provided with primary health care services and full financial risk protection.

Bearing the key message, “Alaga Ka” or ALamin At GAmitin para sa KAlusugan,  Philhealth Regional Vice President Dennis Adre said the program aims to increase  utilization of primary care services by the enrolled indigent families to bring them a step closer to achieving better lives.

“Alaga ng gobyerno ang lahat ng mga Pilipino sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay at pagpapanatili ng magandang kalusugan sa lahat ng Pilipino,” he said.

He added that the government wants to empower them with the right and accurate information about their benefits, how and where to use them and that the poor families are being taken cared of by their government. 

A farm worker Loreto Lacorte, a resident of Purok 18, Nabunturan, expressed his gratitude saying that this program will greatly benefit his family. “Daku kaayo ning matabang sa amua nga nagkalisud, labi na nga 5 akong anak ug ako ra ang giasahan sa akong pamilya kay si Misis walay trabaho,”  (This will greatly help us especially that I have 5 children and my wife has no work),  he said.

Lacorte has proved how Philhealth greatly helped them when just last February, he was operated for Appendectomy  at DRH-Tagum City and availed the No-Balance Billing (NBB) policy of Philhealth. “Daku kaayo ang akong kalipay ug pasalamat kay wa koy gibayran maski gamay,” (I was so happy and thankful because I haven’t paid even a small amount) he said.

Lacorte is among more than a thousand enrolled families in Poblacion Nabunturan who were invited in the launching which covers a short program and a whole-day profiling of the families conducted by the Rural Health Unit of Nabunturan (RHU).

Meanwhile, Christopher Molina, Philhealth SO Head for Comval, revealed this is not the first time for Nabunturan. It can be recalled that the town also hosted the simultaneous “Philhealth Sabado” years ago. 

“We have chosen Nabunturan yet again for their commendable efforts in terms of implementing their health programs. In fact, they are the Best Performing RHU in the region. For us assigned in the provinces as Service Office, we will continue to work for the benefit of our Filipino people and most especially among the poor families,” Molina said.    

Also giving their messages of support during the program are DOH Regional Director Abdullah Dumama Jr., Nabunturan Mayor Romeo Clarin, and other guests and officials.

President Benigno S. Aquino III also gave his message via live streaming through a video wall mounted at the NNCHS gym. (rholly maestre// phic-lhio nabunturan)