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Monday, August 27, 2007
Lawmaker seeks lifetime health coverage to soldiers widows, kids
MANILA -- Pangasinan Representative Arthur Celeste asked Sunday the National Government to provide full health benefits to widows and orphans of soldiers recently slain in combat in Mindanao.
Celeste is the chairman of the House committee on national defense. He has filed a bill on the matter.
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“I urge the National Government through an official communication sent to Health Secretary Francisco Duque III and the Philippine Insurance Health Corporation (Philhealth) to act promptly and with compassion to help alleviate the mental anguish and financial suffering of the bereaved widows and children of the slain soldiers in the Basilan and Sulu conflict,” said Celeste.
More than 50 soldiers have died in a renewed clash with members of the Abu Sayyaf group and rogue members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
Celeste proposed that the widows and children of the soldiers slain in Basilan and Sulu be given lifetime Philhealth benefits.
At present, full or lifetime Philhealth coverage only covers military personnel who have paid P120 monthly contributions or those who have reached the mandatory retirement age of 56 years old.
Once an ordinary member dies – unless he has gained life time member status – the corresponding Philhealth coverage for his beneficiaries, like his widow and orphaned children, cease as well, unless they choose to continue Philhealth contributions to avail themselves of the coverage.
Celeste added: “This is only a small fitting tribute to honor the soldiers who have given their lives in defending their country’s sovereignty, notwithstanding their filial duties and responsibilities to their families; they are a new breed of heroes.”
“In a larger sense, we can only give so much to help alleviate their bereaved families mental anguish and financial distress that will beset them due to the death of their dear bread winners,” he said.
The lawmaker recently filed a bill aiming to grant full Philhealth benefits to the widows and orphans of slain soldiers, policemen and civilians who will die in combat and in acts of extraordinary heroism in defense of his country and fellowmen, respectively. (Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Pampanga. (August 27, 2007 issue)
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