THE Lingap para sa Mahirap program assisted approximately 188,472 Dabawenyos in 2024, a decrease from the 202,837 served in 2023.
Officer-in-charge Ytalia Bohol attributed the decline to PhilHealth’s expanded coverage for dialysis patients, reducing the number of individuals seeking financial aid from Lingap.
“Actually nagbaba ta kay tungod atoang dialysis na assistance is gina shoulder pa karun sa PhilHealth sa uban mga dialysis patients wala nagapanbgayo assitance sa Lingap kay gina shoulder pa sila sa PhilHealth (The number of beneficiaries decreased because PhilHealth is currently covering the dialysis assistance for some patients. They are not requesting aid from Lingap since PhilHealth is still shouldering their expenses),” she said during the ISpeak media forum, on Thursday morning, February 13, 2025, at the DCIPC Building.
Of the total cases in 2024, about 113,194 patients sought assistance for medications, 40,000 for hospitalization, and 5,946 for funeral aid.
Bohol clarified that Lingap’s funeral assistance covers only casket and embalming expenses, not burial costs.
On an average day, Lingap offices across Davao City cater to around 700 to 800 individuals.
Patients seeking hospital assistance must present their original final bill, a medical certificate, and a barangay certificate.
However, those admitted to the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) only need to submit their hospital bill and a valid ID.
For funeral assistance, applicants must provide the original funeral bill, a certified true copy of the death certificate, and a barangay certificate.
Medication assistance requires a prescription from SPMC or the City Health Office (CHO), certification from an accredited pharmacy, and a valid ID. Lingap partners with three pharmacies—Murang Gamot, New Botika Conception, and Calinan Pharmacy—to provide medicines based on stock availability, with a one-month limit on prescriptions.
Patients in need of laboratory tests, dialysis, or other medical procedures must first secure a quotation for the procedure, along with a medical certificate and a barangay certificate, before submitting them to Lingap.
However, Lingap strictly enforces eligibility rules. Bohol emphasized that the program does not extend assistance to individuals involved in road accidents if they were not wearing helmets, had expired licenses or vehicle registrations, or were driving under the influence of alcohol.
Despite serving fewer beneficiaries in 2024, Lingap’s budget has increased to P600 million for 2025 — up from P400 million the previous year. Bohol noted that the additional funding was necessary to accommodate the growing number of individuals seeking medical and financial aid.
As part of the city’s P14.5 billion annual budget, Lingap’s funding boost aims to sustain its services throughout the year, ensuring that medical, financial, and burial assistance remains accessible to those in need. RGP
