Pampanga Gov gives PhilHealth cards to 400 junkshop workers

By Carlo Lorenzo J. Datu

Friday 8th of June 2012

SAN FERNANDO CITY, Pampanga, June 8 (PIA) -- Governor Lilia Pineda vowed to provide PhilHealth and district hospital access cards to more than 400 members of the newly formed Pampanga Junkshop Owners Association.

“Hindi na kayo mamomroblema kapag nagkasakit kayo o kung sino man sa pamilya ninyo,” (You'll have no more problem when you get sick or any member of your family), Pineda told the junkshop owners in a conference held at the Capitol.

The governor said these health benefits are part of the provincial government’s “K5” program or the “Kariton Para sa Kalinisan, Kabuhayan, Kalusugan, at Katahimikan,” launched last month.

Luningning Vergara of the Public Employment Services Office (PESO) and Mamerto Gatus of the Provincial Cooperative and Entrepreneurial Development Office (PCEDO) thanked the junkshop owners and operators for their cooperation in the launching of K5.

According to Gatus, the governor recognizes the effort of hardworking citizens like the junkshop owners. Vergara and Gatus assured the beneficiaries that the provincial government will provide them services, like the K5 program, that could help improve the quality of their lives.

Provincial Health Officer Mar Auchico reminded the beneficiaries to seek help from their rural health units (RHUs) for their health concerns, as well as those of their family members.

Provincial Police Director SSupt. Edgardo Tinio also acknowledged the role of junkshops in maintaining peace and order throughout the province.

“They are good sources of information since they know the streets well and they constantly travel to different places,” Tinio disclosed.

Furthermore, Pineda granted a college scholarship to Valentino Garcia, a 19-year old “mangalakal” of San Luis and member the federation.

“At a very young age, these people are striving hard to provide for their family. Some even sacrifice their education to help their parents earn more money for the family. We have to assist them in any way we can,” Pineda declared. (WLB/CLJD-PIA 3)