MANILA: The National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) on Monday reminded the elderly to check their registration with the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), as well as the accredited diagnostic laboratories and clinics in the country.
During the Bagong Pilipinas public briefing aired over state-run PTV, NCSC Chairperson Frank Quijano said that despite the assumption that everyone is covered by PhilHealth under the Universal Health Care Law, records should still be checked to make sure they are active.
‘Isa iyan na dapat gawin ng lahat ng (This is one thing that should be done by all) seniors. Check if you are registered, especially those who are retired. Kumpiyansang-kumpiyansa sila na hindi na sila kailangang magrehistro, iyon pala ginawang dormant. Kaya dapat i-remind ang lahat na dapat registered sila sa (They are confident that they need not register, only to find out that they have been dormant. That is why we should remind everyone that they should be registered with) PhilHealth
,’ Quijano said.
‘Ang pangalawa, may mga accredited PhilHealth diagnostic laboratories and clinic. Doon tayo magpapa-annual (Second, there are accredited PhilHealth diagnostic laboratories and clinics, that is where we should go for our annual) physical, medical, dental, optical, even geriatric examination,’ he added.
Quijano said he wants to ensure that senior citizens will be able to benefit from the government programs crafted for them, especially that the law allocates 1 percent from the budget of each agency specifically for the elderly and persons with disability (PWD).
On Dec. 15, the NCSC, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Budget and Management, and National Council on Disability Affairs, signed Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) No.1, Series of 2023, that provides the guidelines on the proper reporting, monitoring, and utilization of funds for projects, programs, and activities for senior citizens and PWD.
It also states provisions on the reporting and monitoring process of
all agencies of the government toward the judicious implementation of Section 36 of the General Provisions under Fiscal Year 2023 General Appropriations Act (GAA).
‘All agencies of the government shall formulate plans, programs, and projects intended to address the concerns of Senior Citizens and Persons with Disability, in so far, as it relates to their mandated functions and integrate the same in their regular activities,’ the JMC read.
The JMC mandates collaboration among the four government agencies to monitor and evaluate the implementation of the provision of the GAA, which requires all agencies of the government to coordinate plans, programs, and projects that will address the concerns of senior citizens and PWD.
Quijano said the JMC applies to all national government agencies, executive departments, bureaus, offices, agencies, commissions, state universities, and colleges, as well as government financial institutions, government-owned and/or controlled corporations, and local government units.
He
said the NCSC will closely monitor the implementation of the agreement.
Source: Philippines News Agency