Yap seeks bigger funding as Benguet hospitals top fund utilization
With Benguet hospitals receiving more funding compared to other Cordillera provinces including Baguio City, Congressman Eric Go Yap vowed to look for bigger allocation for government and even private healthcare facilities in the province.
Based on the recent consultative meeting on the implementation of Malasakit and Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) Program spearheaded by the Department of Health – Cordillera, Benguet was allocated P248,574,184.64 and has utilized 98.70 percent or P244,825,591.03, the highest in the region.
“We are elated with this report but not surprised. What makes me happy is the number of patients that were served because it means that we secured the necessary funds for them. And we will not stop here. Since 2020, we always make sure to source out funds para libre ang hospitalization ng mga kailyan natin,” said Cong. Eric Go Yap of the report.
Benguet hospitals, according to the report also served 87,456 patients under the MAIFIP program in 2023.
“It has always been our job to make sure that our kailyans are being taken care of healthwise. Naghahanap tayo ng dagdag lagi na pondo at lumalapit kung kani-kanino kasi ayoko mag-settle tayo sa kung ano lang ang binibigay. Hindi deserve ng Benguet yung “pwede na yan”, kaya kailangan unprecedented talaga yung madala na tulong para sa tao. Marami na nga nakukulitan sa atin na mga matataas na opisyal sa national government, but i dont mind, basta may resulta naman. And this is one of those,” added Yap.
Aside from its 98% utilization rate, Benguet hospitals also received the highest funding for the MAIFIP program.
“Very important sa atin itong free healthcare because most often na napapabayaan ng tao yung kalusugan nila ‘pag walang libreng pagpapagamot. May direct impact ito sa poverty; either mapabayaan nila kalusugan nila and mawalan ng capacity to work or magpapa-ospital sila but it will deplete their funds or mangungutang pa sila. By making sure na may pondo ang healthcare natin, we are removing that burden already. Health services is now more accessible than ever and will continue to be as long as we’re here,” said Yap.
For 2024, Benguet hospitals are expected to receive additional funds amounting to more than P200 million to cater to the needs of its residents.
“We also have funds secured para naman sa mga kailangan magpagamot or surgery sa other hospitals outside Benguet like BGH, Philippine Heart Center, NKTI at iba pa, we have funds nationwide. Kung saan kailanganin ng taga Benguet, there will be funds for them sa mga government hospital. Meron din sa ilang mga private hospitals. And we encourage our patients to approach us, allow us to help them, bukas po lagi ang aming opisina para dito,” Yap further said. ### (PR)
