CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro (PIA) — The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Oriental Mindoro brings the government services to the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) through its third Barangay Forum in Bayanan, Baco, Oriental Mindoro on Wednesday, September 25.
The IPs benefitted from the services of the following agencies: Social Security System (SSS), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), and PagIBIG Fund.
Redentor A. Imperial, Corporate Executive Officer II of SSS Calapan Branch, provided the IPs with correct and accurate information on SSS benefits and loan programs, which they can get in times of need.
The SSS Calapan also offered assistance to members with their account inquiries, issuance of a social security number and payment reference number, and My.SSS registration.
PhilHealth Oriental Mindoro’s Chief Social Insurance Officer Ma. Neresa C. Reganit, on the other hand, said that under the Universal Health Care Law, all citizens are automatically entitled to PhilHealth benefits, including comprehensive outpatient services.
While the benefits are automatically provided, Reganit encouraged the IPs to still apply for membership.
“Lahat po tayo ay PhilHealth members under the UHC law. While most of our people are registered, there are some who are not. Lumapit lamang po sa amin ngayon para matulungan po namin kayo sa mga kailangan ninyo sa PhilHealth,” she said.
(All of us are PhilHealth members under the UHC law. While most of our people are registered, some are not. Just approach us now so we can help you with your needs concerning PhilHealth.)
Meanwhile, PagIBIG Fund Calapan Branch Head Donald F. Alilio stressed the importance of having savings through PagIBIG.
“Kami sa Pag-IBIG Fund ay matagal nang kinikilala ang pangangailangan ng aming mga miyembro na magkaroon ng mas mataas na savings na magbibigay sa kanila ng disente at patas na kita sa kanilang pagreretiro, pati na rin ang mas mataas na cash loan upang matulungan sila sa oras ng pangangailangan,” Alilio said.
(We, from PagIBIG Fund, long before recognized the need of our members to have more savings that could give them a decent pension upon retirement as well as a higher cash loan that could help them in times of need.)
Henry C. Hernandez, an IP senior citizen, thanked PIA for bringing government services to their area.
“Malaking pasasalamat ko po sa PIA…ang aming barangay ay malayo sa lungsod ng Calapan at malayo sa mga serbisyo ng pamahalaan kaya salamat po sa PIA,” Hernandez said.
(My big thanks to PIA. Our barangay is far from Calapan City and government services; that’s why I thank PIA.)
Rosalia Deliswis, one of the IP participants, said that PIA’s barangay forum provided not only accurate information but also brought to them the government services of its partner agencies.
“Nasagot po ng PhilHealth ang mga katanungan ko at ito po ay dahil sa programa na ito ng PIA. Hindi lamang po sila nagpapaabot ng impormasyon sa amin kundi sila rin po ay instrumento upang makapunta rin dito sa aming barangay ang serbisyo ng SSS, PhilHealth at PagIBIG,” she said.
(My questions were answered by PhilHealth through the PIA’s program. The PIA brings not only information but also an instrument to bring to our barangay the services of SSS, PhilHealth, and PagIBIG.)
The Barangay Forum is an initiative of the PIA MIMAROPA Region designed to extend free government services to grassroots communities, especially in remote and underserved areas. (PIA MIMAROPA-Oriental Mindoro)
