P42.9B na 1-yr health insurance premiums ng senior citizens, aprub ng DBM

Inaprubahan ni Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman ang paglalabas ng kabuuang P42,931,355,000 na sumasakop sa isang taon na health insurance premiums ng mga senior citizens sa bansa.

Ang Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) at ng kanyang Notice of Cash Allocation (NCA) ay aprubado ng Budget Secretary noong Abril 4.

Aabot naman sa kabuuang 8,586,271 na naka-enroll na senior citizens ang inaasahang mabebenepisyuhan ng nasabing alokasyon.

“From the start, the directive of President Bongbong Marcos has been very clear—- this government must ensure that our senior citizens have the support and resources they need to thrive,” sabi ni DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman.

“Our elderly will always remain vital members of our society who have spent many of their productive years not only in improving the lives of their family members but also in contributing to their communities. Dapat lamang na patuloy nating tulungan ang ating mga lolo at mga lola na manatiling malakas at malusog,” idinagdag pa ng kalihim.

Sa ilalim ng FY 2023 General Appropriations Act (GAA), ang alokasyon na P79,002,185,000 ay sasakop sa bayad ng health insurance premiums ng indirect contributors kasama na ang mga seniors.

Alinsunod sa Republic Act No. 10645 o mas kilala sa tawag na Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010, ang lahat ng senior citizens ay saklaw ng National Health Insurance Program (NHIP) ng PhilHealth.

Kinakailangan ng mga pondo na siguruhin ang enrollment ng lahat ng senior citizens na hindi pa saklaw ng anumang umiiral na kategorya na magiging source mula sa National Health Insurance Fund ng PhilHealth buhat naman sa Republic Act No. 10351 o Sin Tax Law. (Bhelle Gamboa)