PhilHealth Konsulta Program suspended

CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Central Visayas (Region 7) stated that it has temporarily suspended the PhilHealth Konsulta Program as part of the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) payout to beneficiaries in Mandaue City.
This decision came after the payout for the 457 senior citizens in Barangay Banilad, Mandaue City was delayed on Thursday, April 10, due to coordination issues, wherein personnel from the City Social Welfare Services (CSWS) and the City Health Office (CHO) were reportedly barred from entering the barangay gym during the distribution of aid.
DSWD 7 Director Shalaine Marie Lucero told reporters that following the incident in Barangay Banilad, they instructed their assigned staff to inform the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), the Rural Health Unit (RHU), and the barangays of Opao and Maguikay on Friday, April 11, to halt the implementation of the PhilHealth Konsulta Program.
“Today, our activity solely focused on payouts, which will continue in other areas where we are conducting additional distributions,” said Lucero on Friday night, April 11.
Lucero also said that they had indeed requested the assistance of the Mandaue City Government, particularly during the payout activities to assist for the PhilHealth’s Konsulta Program.
“The agency wishes to clarify and provide context to the circumstances. The DSWD had informed the LGU regarding the payout and that PhilHealth, through its Konsulta Program, would participate in the event,” Lucero said.
She added that the DSWD had also requested the LGU to have their RHU coordinate with the PhilHealth focal person regarding the details.
The DSWD also requested the RHU personnel to conduct medical check-ups, while the beneficiaries were waiting to receive their aid.
Lucero clarified that it was not the DSWD that denied entry to LGU personnel at the Banilad gym last Thursday; rather, it was due to the instructions issued by the barangay.
Due to the confusion that day, which delayed the aid distribution to the beneficiaries, Lucero decided to halt the implementation of the PhilHealth Konsulta Program in Barangay Opao and Barangay Maguikay on April 11.
Following the incident, the Mandaue City Government called the attention of the DSWD Central Visayas.
City Administrator Atty. Jamaal James Calipayan previously shared that when the city representatives attempted to ask DSWD personnel present at the site about the incident, they were unable to provide a response.
This prompted the City Government to send a letter to Lucero requesting for a clarification on the matter.
Calipayan said that the DSWD must respond, as the City is preparing to file charges against those responsible for the incident, including a complaint for direct assault — for allegedly preventing the CHO and CSWS employees from performing their duties through intimidation.
The city administrator stressed that the DSWD must address their concern to avoid becoming accessory in the case, especially since the City had sought a clarification but received no clear explanation.
He added that they have already asked the City Legal Office to look into the matter.
Calipayan further said that the incident in Banilad was not the first of its kind, citing previous cases where City personnel were barred by barangay officials in Pagsabungan and Canduman.
He previously said it was “unfortunate” that the barangays were portraying the city government as uninvolved in the activity, when in fact, the invitation and request for assistance came from the DSWD on April 2.
The letter, signed by Lucero, informed the City that the department would conduct assessments and payouts for a total of 2,343 beneficiaries from various barangays in Mandaue City, Cebu, under the AICS program on April 8, 10, and 11.
The same letter was sent to the Office of Mayor Glenn Bercede and addressed to CSWS Head Michael Allan Pielago, along with the breakdown of the number of beneficiaries and the designated venues for each date. — JG (FREEMAN)
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