Athletes, coaches, trainers to receive medical benefits

The Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Health Insurance, Inc. (Philhealth) yesterday signed a memorandum of agreement giving not just medical but also dental and hospitalization benefits to members of the RP team, coaches and trainers.

“This has been long overdue, the athletes, coaches and trainers deserve to have this,” said PSC chair William Ramirez during the MOA signing at the Manila Yacht Club yesterday.

Philhealth senior vice president Ernesto Beltran, House Youth and Sports Committee chair Cesar Jalosjos of Zamboanga del Norte, Bacolod City Rep. Monico Puentevella and Ramirez were on hand during the MOA signing along with Antipolo City Rep. Roberto Puno and Party List Rep. Maria Carissa Coscolluela.

Also in attendance were PSC commissioners Richie Garcia, Ambrocio de Luna, Joey Mundo and Eric Loretizo, Philspada president Mike Barredo and some RP athletes headed by 2008 Beijing Olympics-bound taekwondo jins Toni Rivero and Tshomlee Go.

Ramirez said the health insurance package covers all 1,200 athletes, coaches and trainers as well as some 150 differently-abled athletes, coaches and trainers who took part in the recent ASEAN Para Games in Thailand.

The package will provide dental, medical and hospitalization benefits.

“This is a very vital agreement,” said Puentevella, also the country’s chief of mission to this year’s Olympic Games in Beijing.

“We hope this could just be a first step towards helping our differently-abled athletes get the same benefits as our national athletes,” said Barredo, a former PSC commissioner.

Plans of including retired athletes, like 1988 Seoul Olympics boxing bronze medal winner Leopoldo Serrantes who is in need of medical assistance, in the agreement are already being discussed.

“We’re deeply considering that,” said Ramirez. The move was in line with the move to repeal Republic Act 9064, or the Athletes Incentives Act, with emphasis of giving more benefits not only to active RP team members but the retirees as well.