SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union (PIA) – The Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (TRC) of La Union and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) in Region 1 has signed an agreement extending healthcare services to people deprived of liberty (PDLs) as well as jail officers and personnel.
 
Dr. Marvin Munar, Chief of Hospital III of TRC-La Union, and Senior Superintendent Florante Nisperos, BJMP regional director, signed the agreement.
 
 Nisperos underscored the importance of the collaboration.
 
“Through this MOA, we are taking a proactive step towards addressing the physical and mental health needs of our PDL and personnel, recognizing that holistic rehabilitation is essential for their overall well-being,” he said.
 
“We believe that by enhancing our health services, we can better support the rehabilitation and reformation of individuals under our custody,” he emphasized.
 
The agreement outlines several initiatives.
 
TRC-La Union will launch community engagement programs through "Adopt a Jail" campaigns and health promotion activities.
 
They will also conduct risk assessments to identify areas needing focus.
 
These efforts will complement existing BJMP programs for PDLs, such as the therapeutic community modality and the "Katatagan, Kalusugan, at Damayan ng Komunidad" program.
 
Munar explained the rationale behind extending primary care services.
 
“We believe TRC is not only made for PWUDs but also for the families of the PWUDs and the communities of the PWUDs. Part of that community of the PWUDs are partner agencies who are taking care of the PWUDs. Because who will take care of our PWUDs if we do not take care of the carers?” Munar said.
 
He expressed his satisfaction with the partnership's potential to serve a wider population while ensuring financial stability.
 
TRC-La Union and BJMP-Region 1 will leverage PhilHealth's Konsulta program, also known as “Konsultasyong Sulit Tama,”  to achieve this.
 
The PhilHealth Konsulta program offers a comprehensive package of outpatient benefits mandated by the Universal Health Care Law. 
 
Through this MOA with TRC-La Union, a soon-to-be-accredited PhilHealth Konsulta provider, PDLs and BJMP personnel can now register and receive consultations, health risk screenings and assessments, along with select laboratory tests, diagnostic procedures, and medications.
 
"Through this MOA, we're thrilled to serve two patient groups with BJMP. First, BJMP personnel will be included in our Konsulta program. Second, we will provide electronic prescriptions and medicines directly to enlisted PDLs," Dr. Munar said.
 
To cater to PDLs across the Ilocos region under BJMP-Region 1's custody, TRC-La Union will invest in telemedicine.
 
This will allow for remote consultations and medication delivery.
 
This joint effort between TRC-La Union and BJMP Ilocos Region signifies their unwavering commitment to providing quality healthcare service programs for PWUDs, PDLs, and their partner agencies. (JCR/AMB/MJTV/PIA Region 1)