Around 406 Pasigueño solo parents were able to receive their PhilHealth IDs as part of the local government's financial and healthcare programs for vulnerable groups.
The program was conducted on Thursday, Aug 31, at the Pasig Sports Complex, through an initiative of the Office of Councilor Angelu De Leon, who serves as the chairman of the City Council Committee on Social Services and Solo Parent Affairs.
With the PhilHealth ID, solo parents are entitled to six months of free PhilHealth coverage.
Aside from receiving their PhilHealth IDs, solo parents were also able to pay their contributions, update their records, and claim their corresponding benefits during the program.
Councilor De Leon graced the program to show support for the solo parents. She also delivered encouraging messages to the attendees and shared her experiences raising her two daughters as a solo parent herself.
She added that the local government is seeking to increase the number of solo parent beneficiaries, whose medical care can be secured through the benefits of the agency.
The program was held in cooperation with Philhealth, the City Health Office (CHO), and the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO).
The CSWDO helped verify the eligible solo parents in the program through their local database.
According to Republic Act. 11861 or the "Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act," PhilHealth and local government units (LGUs), along with other national government bodies, are mandated to develop "comprehensive social protection service packages for solo parents and families."
Solo parents receive "automatic coverage under the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP), administered by PhilHealth."