Sarangani to expand social assistance program for the poor

GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- The provincial government of Sarangani is working on the expansion of its social assistance programs to accommodate more poor residents in parts of the province.

Dr. Arvin Alejandro, provincial health officer, said Tuesday they have proposed the release of additional funding to mainly cover for the health insurance and hospitalization needs of indigent residents.

Alejandro said Sarangani Gov. Steve Chiongbian Solon has endorsed the move as a priority initiative under the flagship program, Sulong Sarangani.   

“We’re hoping for the release of the augmentation funds before the end of the year,” Alejandro said.

Alejandro said the local government has allocated some P12.5 million this year for the enrollment of indigent families to the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. or Philhealth insurance program. It covers the insurance premiums of qualified beneficiaries and allowing them to avail of hospitalization and other related benefits from Philhealth, he said.

Philhealth premiums, if paid individually, reaches P2,400 annually.

To complement with the initiative, Alejandro said they have set aside some P10 million for the hospitalization assistance program.

Under the program, he said residents may avail of financial grants of up to 70 percent of their hospital bills through a memorandum of agreement with the provincial government.

The provincial government has partnered with three tertiary hospitals here to accommodate patients covered by the initiative, pending the full operationalization of the provincial hospital in Alabel town. These are the Socsargen County Hospital, Diagan Hospital, and the Dr. Jorge P. Royeca Hospital, formerly the city district hospital.

Aside from these, Alejandro said the local government has allocated some P5 million for the Aid to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS), which is implemented by the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office.

He said residents who are not covered by PhilHealth and could not avail of the hospitalization assistance program may get financial assistance under the various components of the AICS.    

The local government opened last month the outpatient operations of its provincial hospital, located at the provincial capitol compound in Alabel.

The Department of Health approved last June the release of around PHP100 million for the completion of the facility, which is currently awaiting the release of its license to initially operate as an infirmary facility.

When fully completed, the provincial hospital will have a capacity of 200 beds and will operate as a tertiary facility. (PNA)