Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada has signed an agreement to boost the implementation of the “Lingap at Gabay Para sa May Sakit (LinGap sa Masa)” for the city’s six district hospitals.
Estrada signed the memorandum of agreement with Department of Social Welfare and Development OIC-Secretary Emmanuel A. Leyco; DSWD-National Capital Region Director Vincent Andrew T. Leyson, and DSWD-NCR Crisis Intervention Unit head Marlene Guzman at Manila City Hall.
The agreement will provide free medicines to indigents and to needy government workers.
Joining the MOA signing were Dr. Regina Socorro L. Bagsic, Consultant on Hospital Administration and Service; Dr. Rachael S. Marinas, OIC-Medical Director of Ospital ng Maynila; Dr. Merle D. Sacdalan, OIC-Medical Director of Justice Jose Abad Santos General Hospital;
Dr. Ma. Luisa D. Aquino, OIC-Director of Gat Andres Bonifacio Memorial Medical Center; Dr. Clara C. Reyes, OIC-Director of Sta. Ana Hospital; Dr. Isaias R. Cando, OIC-Director of Ospital ng Tondo; Dr. Leonora P. Pascual, OIC-Director of Ospital ng Sampaloc and Tommy Co, Consultant.
“For me, ‘LinGap sa Masa’ health care is for the people, it belongs to the people, that’s why I am very thankful to President Rodrigo Duterte for allocating P1 billion in medical assistance to our poor countrymen,” Estrada said.
“Thank you for his ready response to the needs of our poor Filipinos who cannot afford to buy medicines,” he added.
The ‘LinGap sa Masa’ was in line with Duterte’s decree to provide free medicines to indigents and vulnerable population from the NCR, whereas the DSWD through its Crisis Intervention Unit provides the necessary assistance that is needed.
Leyco said the President has appropriated P1 billion for free medicines for in-patient and out-patient in selected government hospitals.
Guzman added that the program provides free medical checkup, aside from free medical assistance.
“’LinGap’ is a program to protect our people, especially the poor patients from unacceptable risks of harm and danger because they have no money to buy medicines,” Estrada said.
“The program is a testament of the great compassion President has for the poor,” he added.
LinGap is “a very good initiative” and will go a long way toward helping any poor and underprivileged Filipino, the mayor added.
He noted that Manila’s six hospitals have free medicines that are readily available owing to LinGap’s partner pharmacies.
Leyco explained that “LinGap sa Masa” will be implemented at identified hospitals where patient needing prescription medicines will be assessed and provided assistance via the issuance of guarantee letters for the purchase of medicine from hospital pharmacies or from partnered drug stores.
“LinGap sa Masa” is a program distinct and separate from the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS).
Thus, any patient who has received medical assistance for the same purpose under AICS will not be eligible under “LinGap para sa Masa Program,” and vice-versa.
In a statement, DSWD said it’s the right of the public to avail of the medical services and assistance from taxes collected by the government.
Other partner government hospitals that DSWD signed with a MOA in NCR are Philippine General Hospital; Jose Reyes Memorial Hospital; East Avenue Medical Center; Jose Rodriguez in Tala, Caloocan City; Lung Center of the Philippines; Philippine Children’s Medical Center (PCMC); Quirino Medical Center in Project 4, Quezon City and San Lazaro Hospital in Manila.
Qualified beneficiaries are: 1) Families or individuals who are indigent, vulnerable or disadvantaged; 2) Those in the informal sector and poor based on DSWD Listahan; 3) Those who are in crisis situation based on assessment of social workers; 4) Employees and contract of service workers of government in crisis situation; and 5) Dependents of soldiers and police officers killed or wounded in line of duty.
Documents needed are: Any valid ID of the patient; any valid ID of representative and written authorization signed by the patient in favor of the representative; doctor’s prescription issued within the last three months, indicating date and name of patient, duly signed by attending physician, with his or her license number and contact details; proof of Indigency or Certificate issued by the barangay or medical social service of an identified hospital.
Beneficiaries may also approach medical social workers assigned in the participating hospitals for further assistance in availing of the services.