LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—Funds for the Medical Assistance for Indigent Patients and Financially-Incapacitated Patients (MAIP) soared to P312,764,548.51 million and is expected to reach more than P400-million.
Governor Ramon V. Guico III expressed gratitude to the generosity of some senators, congressmen, party-list representatives and board member who allocated funds for the health program. This, he said, will redound to the benefit of the sick and poor and financially-incapacitated Pangasinenses who are in dire need of essential and life-saving medicines, services and other medical products.
Pangasinan 5th District Representative Ramon “Monching” Guico, Jr. downloaded a total of P36-million worth of fund to the province for the program.
The current total MAIP fund ballooned to a gigantic amount through the resourcefulness of the governor and his father, Congressman Guico.
For his part, House Speaker Martin Romualdez also provided a total of P200-million thru Congressman Guico and another P300,000 thru Cong. Ron Salo while Sen. Bong Go downloaded a total of P29-million.
Three senators extended their hands with P1,198,000 from Sen. Cayetano; P1-million from Sen. Riza Hontiveros; and, P200,000 from Sen. Joel Villanueva.
Congressmen also contributed their share to include 1st District Congressman Arthur F. Celeste with P7,940,000 and his brother, former Cong. Arnold “Noli” Celeste who shared P1,980,000. Cong. Marlyn Primicias-Agabas of the 6th District downloaded P6,850,000 while 4th District Representative Christopher de Venecia and 2nd District Representative Mark Cojuangco shared P1,500,000 and P1,000,000; respectively.
For the party-list representatives, Cong. Presley de Jesus of PHILRECA shared P15,000,000 while Cong. Michael Morden of API downloaded P8,800,000, Cong. Ron Salo of Kabayan with P200,000 and Cong. Arlene Brosas of Gabriela Women’s and Cong. Frannce Castro of Act Teachers contributed P100,000 each.
In addition, Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member Nicholi Jan Louie Sison, extended fund share amounting to P1,000,000.
Other party-lists who shared were API, P2,295,000; Abono, P1,406,173; and Kalinga, P700,000.
In a recent dialogue with the chief of hospitals, department heads and some rank and file employees of the provincial government, the second batch of MAIP fund amounting to around P186-million will be downloaded to the government-run facilities.
The MAIP is a DOH program intended to provide support to indigent and poor patients seeking medical examination, consultation, treatment and rehabilitation, and patients confined in government hospitals.
Patients who want to avail of the MAIP fund are advise to seek assistance on the process and requirements from the social workers stationed in the 14 provincial government hospitals in the province. These health facilities are as follows: Pangasinan Provincial Hospital (PPH) in Bolingit, San Carlos City; Eastern Pangasinan District Hospital in Tayug, Western Pangasinan District Hospital in Alaminos City, Bayambang District Hospital, Lingayen District Hospital, Mangatarem District Hospital, Urdaneta District Hospital, Dasol Community Hospital, Bolinao Community Hospital, Mapandan Community Hospital and Manaoag Community Hospital, Asingan Community Hospital, Umingan Community Hospital, and Pozorrubio Community Hospital. (Ruby R. Bernardino/Pangasinan PIO)
