THE DSWD6 released to Ilonggos P37 million-worth of medicines.

Latest records of the agency revealed that the medicines were released under the Libreng Gamot Para sa Masa, a program implemented by DSWD funded from the Presidential Social Fund.

If broken down, P26.1 million went to family heads and needy adults; women, P123,788; senior citizens, P8.57 million; and Persons with Disability, P2.3 million.

“Through Lingap para sa Masa, Ilonggos could avail of free medicines. Those who do not have money to buy their medicines could finally get help from the government,” said Rebecca P. Geamala, regional director.

Out of the amount, a total of 5,257 beneficiaries were able to access the assistance.

BACKGROUND

Lingap is an initiative of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, providing P1Billion to fund medicine assistance for indigent Filipinos who cannot afford to buy medicines.

Out of the amount, Region 6 received P138 million.
The agency entered into an agreement with Western Visayas Medical Center (WVMC) for the project.
To avail, the patient or representative shall present the doctor’s prescription to the pharmacy of WVMC. The pharmacy shall then issue a quotation for the needed medicines.
The patient or his representative shall present the quotation to the DSWD Social Worker together with other requirements.
The Social worker is situated right beside the WVMC pharmacy in the Lingap sa Masa desk.
The DSWD social worker shall then assess the case if found eligible. A DSWD Lingap sa Masa Guarantee Letter (GL) which includes the amount of the needed medicines will be issued to the patient so that the patient can get the medicines for free.
In-patients are required to submit the doctor’s prescription, certificate of indigency and valid ID. Those who are living in far areas may get their certificate of indigency to the hospital’s Social Service Office and do not have to go to their barangays.
Those in the out-patient, meaning those who have consulted with the Out-patient Department (OPD) of WVMC, the same requirements apply.
As much as P75,000 worth of medications maybe covered.

OTHER HOSPITALS
Lingap is already implemented in other hospitals in the country–University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) in the National Capital Region (NCR); Jose B. Lingad Memorial Hospital in San Fernando City, Pampanga (Region III); Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) in Cebu City (Region VII); Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) in Davao City; and the Davao Regional Hospital (DRH) in Tagum City (Region XI).
The implementation of Lingap is guided by Memorandum Circular No. 02 formulated by the Department to ensure an orderly and standard utilization free medicine fund.

WHO CAN AVAIL
Under the Lingap guidelines, indigent Filipinos who are either confined in or receiving out-patient treatment from identified hospitals and who are in need of prescription medicines are qualified as beneficiaries. Priority, however, will be given to the following:
1. Families or individuals who are indigent, vulnerable, or disadvantaged;
2. Those in the informal sector and poor based on the DSWD Listahanan;
3. Those who are in crisis situations based on the assessment of social workers;
4. Government employees and contract of service workers working in the government; and
beneficiaries of soldiers and police who were killed or wounded in the line of duty./dswd6