DSWD-7 urges Cebu mediamen to avail of medical assistance

CEBU, Philippines – The regional office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Central Visayas has requested the members of the Cebu media to avail of the medical and hospitalization aid program.

DSWD-7 director Evelyn Macapobre said former Cebu City representatives Raul del Mar and Antonio Cuenco have allocated a total of P2 million from their Philip-pine Development Assistance Fund through the Cebu News Workers Foundation (Cenewof) as standby fund for medical and hospitalization aid for members of Cebu media.

Macapobre said the P2 million was released through the DSWD-7. But of the amount, she added only P200,000 was released so far to the working press.

"Manghinaut ko nga ang ato unyang mga sakop sa media mo-avail sa maong program," said Macapobre.

According to her, the P1 million was released to Cenewof while the remaining P1 million was deposited at their office.

Macapobre said there was slow release of funds and only limited number of Cebu working media availed of the program.

The amount released to DSWD served as seed money for the Cebu Journalists Medical Aid Fund, which Cenewof will administer.

Cenewof has long adopted the hospitalization and medical aid program for its members, but because the funds are considered special funds, the foundation has to for-mulate a separate guideline on how to disburse these and who are qualified to avail of the medical assistance.

Macapobre said at 2 p.m. today, officials of Cenewof and their office will discuss the status of the project's implementation.

According to her, they are now looking at the possibility to have the funds be used by Cebu working media in other purpose aside from medical assistance. (FREEMAN)