Bacoor — The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) in Cavite has provided P2.5 million in financial assistance to the Southern Tagalog Regional Hospital (STRH) on Tuesday, April 7, to support its urgent medical and community needs in combatting the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
PCSO Cavite Branch Manager Paloma Malinao handed over the calamity assistance check to Dr. Jocelyn C. Caballes, acting chief of STRH, in simple rites at the PCSO branch office here.
Also in attendance were PCSO Cavite branch social worker Lorefel Marinay and STRH employees Wilma Bayas and Ruby Morana.
“The amount given to the hospital is intended for the procurement of testing kits, reagents, medical/diagnostic equipment, personal protective equipment (PPE), and medicines,” Malinao said.
The financial aid likewise covers the cost of laboratory and diagnostic procedures and confinement of COVID-19 patients, except room charges and professional fees.
“But since STRH is a government hospital, there will be no more room charges and doctors’ fees,” said Malinao.
“We hope this contribution will help individuals and families in need and provide significant medical supplies for our health care professionals on the front line during the outbreak,” she added.
PCSO general manager Royina Garma said the funding was part of the agency’s approved financial assistance of P447 million to 81 government hospitals across the country to boost their financial capacity in catering to COVID-19 patients.
It is chargeable to the agency’s Charity Fund under its Calamity Assistance Program (CAP) budget.
“For COVID-19 patients and their families who battle with uncertainty, knowing that the cost of hospitalization is one less worry is a big relief,” said Garma.
Garma said PCSO branch managers in different provinces are now coordinating with the beneficiary government hospitals for the required documents of assistance and the schedule of turnover that will be held in the PCSO branch office.
The STRH, formerly known as Bacoor District Hospital, is a DOH and PhilHealth-accredited Level 1 health facility since 2013 with a 50-bed capacity.
The hospital not only caters to the people of Cavite but the whole of Calabarzon region as well.
“PCSO will always be here, ready to provide health and medical-related assistance to Filipinos all over the country. Let us also do our part as individuals by cooperating and following orders so that we can flatten the curve and put an end to this invisible enemy,” Garma said.