PANGASINENSES ASSURED OF INTENSIFIED FREE HEALTH CARE, AID IN 2025

December 28, 2024 Headlines

URDANETA, Pangasinan

Pangasinenses are being assured of continued free health care and services after the Government Unified Incentives for Medical Consultations (GUICONSULTA) program was institutionalized via a provincial ordinance. The GUICONSULTA was started by Pangasinan Governor Ramon Guico III to show dedication to deliver ‘Preventive Health Care Program’ to the grassroots level. With an initial funding of P300 million, the Provincial Government allotted P400-500 million for 2025, to ensure the program’s smooth and effective implementation.

As observed in the past, there are few people who are not going for check-ups for various reasons. Guico III said he
aggressively made steps for the people to submit themselves for consultations and other medical services, prompting
more Pangasinenses now availing of the program. To push the program further, Guico III initiated incentives for Pangasinenses to avail of the program. He said there are no reasons why the people should not let themselves be checked-up under the BBB preventive health care program of the province as they are bringing such services to their barangays.

“All they need,” he said, “is that they will go to their Rural Health Units (RHUs), district hospitals and Barangay
health stations. “Hindi na po dahilan na hindi kami pwedeng magpa-check up dahil wala akong pamasahe at wala kaming pangkain,” he stressed. Under the GUICONSULTA, the province ensure that the people will enroll and enjoy the benefits from Philhealth like the Konsultasyong Sulit at Tama or “Konsulta” program, a vital initiative aimed at providing preventive healthcare services to PhilHealth members that seek to provide preventive healthcare services under the Universal Health Care Law.

This offers a multitude of life-saving benefits that ensure every enrollee access to quality health services. Under the program, members will be given access to free medical consultations, free health risk screening and assessment, free selected laboratory and diagnostic testing, and free selected drugs and medicines in line with their pre-existing condition. The members must register with an accredited consult provider of their choice to be eligible and avail
of various services. In the case of the province, all 14 government hospitals are accredited providers.

Only this Sunday, (December 23, 2024), the GUICONSULTA caravan went to the barangays of Umingan, Pangasinan. Residents were given free medical and dental services. Those needing laboratory as well as diagnostic check-ups with corresponding medicines and other needs were served. Pet owners also availed of the free veterinary services and were given pet foods, medicines and vitamins. Also, free seeds were distributed farmers. Provincial officials led by Vice-Governor Mark Ronald De Guzman Lambino together with the officers and members of Pangasinan’s First Spouses League (FSL) assisted in the delivery of the programs to the different municipalities and
barangays of the province.

Artemio A. Dumlao/ABN