CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – A memorandum of agreement (MOA) signed between the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Northern Mindanao (DSWD-10) and drugstore chain Mercury Drug is seen to bolster efficient distribution of medicines to beneficiaries in Camiguin province.
"The MOA states that medical assistance will be provided in a form of a cash voucher. They (beneficiaries) will present this (voucher) to Mercury Drug, so they can get medicines or assistive devices," DSWD-10 social marketing unit head Roshiel Galia said in an interview Friday.
Galia said while the other localities also have existing partnerships with the drugstore company, the MOA between the agency and Mercury Drug-Camiguin branch was the first for a province.
DSWD-10 Director MariFlor Dollaga-Libang said Thursday's MOA between DSWD-10 and Mercury Drug aims to ensure that the assistance will be given to the right beneficiaries and ensure they also get quality medicines.
“Providing convenience in helping cover the medical needs of the affected families and individuals is the best thing we can offer. This partnership is all about saving more people from the misery of finding and availing medical attention which is a basic human need and right,” Libang said.
Libang said AICS—one of DSWD’s most availed services—is a social safety net or stopgap mechanism to support the recovery of individuals and families from unexpected crises such as illness, death in the family, and educational needs, among others.
DSWD-10 also signed a similar arrangement with Mercury Drug for this city's beneficiaries. (PNA)
