THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has released the funds intended to cover the one-year health insurance premiums of senior citizens in the country.
In a statement, the DBM said Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman approved on April 4, 2023, a total of P42,931,355,000 Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) and its corresponding Notice of Cash Allocation (NCA) for the said purpose.
It is part of the P79,002,185,000 allocated to cover the payment of health insurance premiums of indirect contributors, including elderlies, under the 2023 General Appropriations Act (GAA).
“Our elderly will always remain vital members of our society who have spent many of their productive years not only in improving the lives of their family members but also in contributing to their communities. Dapat lamang na patuloy nating tulungan ang ating mga lolo at mga lola na manatiling malakas at malusog (We should continue to help keep our grandparents strong and healthy),” said Pangandaman.
She said a total of 8,586,271 enrolled senior citizens are expected to benefit from the allotment.
Under the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010, all individuals 60-year-old and above shall be covered by the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP) of PhilHealth. (SunStar Philippines)