MAASIN CITY (PIA) — The Communicators Network (ComNet) in Southern Leyte, an organization of information officers from national government agencies (NGAs) and local government units (LGUs), along with some public and private media, has teamed up with other offices to provide something more tangible beyond the sharing of timely, relevant, and accurate information.
The group collaborated with the provincial office of PhilHealth and the Maasin City Health Unit to bring a sense of early Christmas cheer to the Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) at Maasin City Jail.
The Maasin City Health Unit medical personnel led by Dr. Francilisa Tan checked the blood pressure of approximately 62 PDLs at the city jail, along with free consultations of their physical and medical conditions and other vital signs.
The PDLs were also enrolled in PhilHealth’s e-Konsulta program and received PhilHealth ID cards as well as provided with snacks and lunch.
It was the second outreach feeding program initiated by ComNet; the first took place in December 2023 with PDLs at the provincial jail, with food provided by Jollibee.
This time was more comprehensive as it involves PhilHealth and the City Health Unit.
Romulo Carbonilla, a PhilHealth staff, noted in his brief message that the same PhilHealth benefits available to those outside can also be enjoyed by those behind bars under the Universal Health Care law.
Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) Jail Inspector Ronel Abinguna, the acting jail warden, expressed gratitude for the activity, which was held within the limited confines of the city jail.
He mentioned coordinating with city and provincial officials, including First District Rep. Luz Mercado’s office, to find a more spacious location for similar future interventions.
Two PDLs shared their impressions about the event, expressing gratitude that despite their situation, there are still people looking after their welfare particularly the government through PhilHealth and the CHU as well as the ComNet organization. (MMP, PIA Southern Leyte)
