E. Visayas solons push free PhilHealth coverage

PALO, Leyte – A group of congressmen from Eastern Visayas is calling for free PhilHealth coverage this year for people in the region hit hard by a spate of storms towards the end of 2017.

“Eastern Visayas is still recovering from the adverse impact of Typhoons Yolanda (2013) and Ruby (2014). Unfortunately, we again experienced heavy rains and severe flooding all across the region due to Tropical Depressions Urduja and Vinta in December (2017) and Typhoon Agaton in January this year,” the lawmakers said in a joint letter sent to Health Secretary and PhilHealth Chairman Francisco Duque.

“Most of our constituents have nothing left to pay for PhilHealth coverage, especially the poor farmers and fisherfolk affected by recent calamitous events,” said Samar Rep Ben P. Evardone (PDP-Laban), who initiated the move.

“The free coverage/enrollment into the PhilHealth system this year will lessen the burden of Eastern Visayans while ensuring their continued access to needed medical and health services,” Evardone said.

After Super -Typhoon Yolanda devastated Eastern Visayas in 2013, PhilHealth lifted the payment of premiums and granted all typhoon victims in the region free coverage under its “All Can Avail” program, which ended December, 2016.

Aside from Evardone, the letter was signed by Samar island representatives Edgar Mary Sarmiento (1st District, Samar), Mila Tan (2nd District, Samar), Edwin C. Ong (2nd District, Northern Samar), and Raul A. Daza (1st District, Northern Samar).

Congressmen Rogelio Espina (Lone District, Biliran), Roger G. Mercado (Southern Leyte), Yedda Romualdez (1st District, Leyte), Henry Ong (2nd District, Leyte), Vicente Veloso (3rd District, Leyte), Lucy Torres (4th District, Leyte), and Jose Carlos L. Cari (5th District, Leyte) also signed the letter.

An Waray Partylist Representative Victoria Noel and AANGAT Tayo! Representative Harlin Abayon III also signed the letter in support of the appeal of the Eastern Visayas solons.