Las Piñas families get hospital cards

To help city residents cope with the high cost of hospitalization, Las Piñas City Mayor Vergel Aguilar has approved the issuance of green cards to 2,800 families, granting each indigent patient a P25,000 hospitalization package.

Aguilar said the free hospitalization is one of the flagship programs of his administration, aimed to provide health care benefits such as minor surgical operations and confinement.

Each beneficiary was given a green card after a thorough evaluation of their ailments by city government hospitals. Holders of the green card can go to the San Juan de Dios Hospital or the Las Piñas Doctors hospital to avail of services.

Vic Talampas, technical assistant on health concerns, said there are more than 20,000 residents who have qualified for the program since it was implemented in year 2000. Public school teachers and city government employees are also beneficiaries of the program.

Aguilar said that apart from free hospitalization, his administration also prioritizes medical and dental services at 28 modern health centers and giving pregnant women better maternal care and child delivery services at the fully-airconditioned and modern Las Piñas Maternity Clinic.

As a result of his efforts to make health services accessible to city residents, the Department of Health has awarded Las Piñas City the prestigious "Sentrong Sigla" award for having the best health facilities and programs in the country.