PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan (PIA) — The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) has scheduled the pilot implementation of the health and medical services for the MIMAROPA region in Palawan province as part of the social protection of coconut farmers and their families.
PCA Palawan Project Development Officer III Gady Llamasares said the program is under the first phase of the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP), funded by Republic Act 11524 or the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund.
Once registered in the National Coconut Farmers Registry System (NCFRS), the coconut farmers and their families may avail themselves of the services.
Based on record, there are 40,000 coconut farmers registered in Palawan out of 169,000 registered in the MIMAROPA region.
“Marami talagang gaps pagdating sa health care access ng coconut farmers. Kasi kung tutuusin, sa simpleng coconut farmer ay bihira silang magpa-checkup—ang iba diyan ay hindi financially may kakayanan,” he said.
The target areas are located in the Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs) in Palawan and the agency will work with different offices such as the Provincial Government of Palawan (PGP), Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), Provincial Health Office, and Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) for future collaborations.
He said that the first component, mobile health care, will provide assistance such as free medicine, consultations, eye checkups, medical services including dental services, and provision of assisted devices. The oconut farmers will also receive free haircuts and massage services.
PCA will tentatively start on February 28 in Roxas for northern towns, to be followed by another schedule in March in Brooke’s Point for southern towns.
For the second component, the beneficiaries may avail a maximum of P40,000 for hospitalization after the deduction of mandatory benefits. PCA sealed an agreement with the Ospital ng Palawan as its partner for the hospitalization program.
If the PhilHealth Konsulta package does not cover their health concerns, outpatients can also receive financial assistance up to P5,000. PCA may also provide post-treatment support amounting to a maximum of P5,000 in financial assistance.
“Ibababa namin ito sa Palawan this year—first time na ibababa rito sa Palawan. Nagresearch kami na marami pala mga hospital na under ng provincial (government), pwede kami mag-extend sa malalayong bayan din para at least lahat ng coconut farmers ay maka-avail,” he said.
Llamasares explained that the family members who may also avail themselves of the health and medical program must be the legal wife and their children aged 20 years old and below, unemployed and not married.
He added that the program may also include foster children and persons with disabilities aged 21 years and above as beneficiaries. (RG/PIA MIMAROPA-Palawan)
