Thursday, March 18, 2004
Despite criticisms, distribution of Philhealth cards continues
IF GOVERNMENT officials were too sensitive to criticism, no projects would ever get implemented.
That’s how Augustus “Jun” Pe, Mayor Tomas Osmeña’s consultant and a candidate for Cebu City councilor, defended the distribution of free health insurance cards.
“We are just implementing a project of the National Government,” said Pe, whom the mayor tasked to dole out the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (Philhealth) cards.
Heads of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, which financed the cards, and Philhealth have been accused before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Manila of electioneering in distributing the cards.
But Pe pointed out that if public officials allowed such criticisms to stop them, nothing would ever get done. “Maglingkod na lang kay kutob sa proyekto karong panahona electioneering na man ang itawag,” he said.
President Arroyo herself ordered the distribution of Philhealth cards early this year.
As the first sitting president to seek a fresh mandate since Ferdinand Marcos, she enjoys an edge over her rivals in that she can woo voters by claiming credit for government projects or doleouts.
Opposition Senate candidates Boots Anson-Roa and Amina Rasul yesterday asked the Supreme Court to order President Arroyo to step down or take a leave of absence, to avoid conflicts of interest during the campaign season.
So far, criticism and Comelec lawsuits have not stopped the distribution of health cards.
After distributing 11,583 cards to Cebu City north district residents last Tuesday, Pe also led the distribution to 5,124 Cebu City south district recipients yesterday.
Those who received the cards were from Barangays Buhisan, Labangon, Pahina San Nicolas, Bulacao, Calamba, Pasil, Suba and Pung-ol Sibugay.
Jessica Gallenero, Phil-health 7 informal unit head, said that agency personnel will visit the barangays for an information and education campaign.
This is meant to teach cardholders about the medical benefits they can avail themselves of, because of the cards. Each card is valid for a year.
Philhealth personnel will also visit Tuburan town today to distribute cards to residents there.
Osmeña, who gave a short speech during the distribution, told the people “not to use the cards,” which drew smiles from the crowd.
The mayor said he actually wished for the residents to have good health the whole year so that they will not have to go to the hospital.
He told them that when he had a stroke exactly two years ago, his Philhealth insurance helped a lot during his hospitalization. RHM
(March 18, 2004 issue)
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