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#GADfam
Kaagapay Pang Medikal Program
In Sickness and for Health
When the health once-treasured plummets, the LGU Tagum's Medical Assistance Program can be anyone's lifesaver.
-Roy Banias -
THINK ABOUT HEALTH and maybe what will go first to your mind is not the wealth it is said to bring but the fortune you are bound to spend for its upholding. But fortune is not at hand for everyone, which is why when illness comes empty pockets will be giving you greater pain than disease you are to embattle.
Fortunately, in moments like this Tagumenyos have something to run to as the Local Government of Tagum remains persistent in giving its constituents a program that assists them in their medical needs all throughout their struggle. Through
the medical assistance program dubbed as Kaagapay Pang-Medikal Program that is managed by the Social Services and Gender and Development Management under the City Mayor’s Office, Tagumenyos can ask for financial and medicine subsidies as well as referrals to medical centers and other organizations that also offer similar medical assistance to help ease the burden brought by health maladies they are experiencing.
In Davao Regional Medical Center, a station for the assistance program was placed by the LGU to
cater patients admitted in the said hospital. To avail the financial support, with amount that depends on the patient’s medical case, the family member or any representative of the patient needs only to present the yellow card provided by the DRMC to claim the assistance in form of a guarantee letter, which will be honored by the medical center in lieu of cash to defray the patient’s laboratory, medicine or other hospital expenses.
The Social Services Unit as headed by Ms. Anthonette Leones also extends sizeable financial aid to
Tagumenyos who are undergoing expensive medical treatments such as chemotherapy and dialysis through the constant fiscal support of national party like Anak Mindanao (AMin), Yakap and Agri Partylist. The funds provided by these big political organizations will be used also in assisting needy patients who are admitted in private hospitals.
Meanwhile, for Tagumenyos who are prescribed to buy medicines but can’t afford to do so, the Social Services Unit also gives free medicinal drugs. Ms. Grazelyn Lauren, Focal Person of Kaagapay Program, said that anyone can avail the free medicines as long as there is the supply and that the individual brings the prescription of the doctor.
Ms. Lauren also emphasized that their unit, as per mandate of Mayor Allan Rellon, never hesitates in helping Tagumenyos who are going through one of the discouraging moments in their life. She stressed that the city government is one with the patients in the fight to end their suffering.
Certainly, the Kaagapay Pang-Medikal Program is a part and parcel of the EAGLE WINGS vision of making the entire Tagumenyo populace healthy and wealthy.
The above shown the result of never ending commitment to public services. During the first term of the City Mayor, he increased the budget from 2 Million to 4 Million pesos annually just to assist the different medical needs of his people. In 2015, the City Mayor saw the needs for the expansion of the program during his visitation to the 23 barangays, he then allocates an additional budget for the purchase of medicines worth 1,000,000.00 pesos to assist patient’s immediate needs for medicines which are not available to any government centers and hospital.
Last 2016, the City Mayor Allan Rellon with support of the 6th City Council through the proponent Hon. Jan Dmitri Sator the City Ordinance for this program drafted and increased its allocation 5,000,000 pesos and the allocation for Medical Outreach Program and purchase of immediate medicines increased to 1,500,000 pesos. The uniqueness of this program is the passion to serve through services closer to the people.
MEDICAL ASSISTANCE
MEDICAL ASSISTANCE?
Granting medical and remedial care and services through kaagapay pang- medical program to tagumenyos is what the city of tagging is ensured with in order to
provide an equitable, efficient, and effective health care services. Hence, it was divided into two (2) components:
WAYS OF MONITORING THE PATIENTS HEALTH?
Monitoring the patient plays a vital part for the city to give the latter a clear picture whether the patient is improving
WAYS OF MONITORING THE PATIENTS HEALTH?
or not and to understand its impact within the city. Indicators could tell if it is progressive as such served patients from time to time voluntarily visit the medical in- charge, affirming that they feel the program is its big help and recommending the program to random people who are in great need for availability of services.
WAYS OF MONITORING THE PATIENTS HEALTH?
Availability of service is an open to all for as long as he is a resident in Tagum City (an indigent person is of priority).
WHAT MAKES US UNIQUE?
The city government of Tagum is peculiar from other local government unit because of the following:
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Provide medicines to all for as long as doctor’s prescription is presented to medical in- charge (note: the assistance will always be depending on to the availability of medicines stocked in the office.
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Conduct of medical outreach to twenty- three (23) barangays in Tagum city
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The after care of the program were encouraged the abled member of the family to avail the training skills of the City.
pAKIKIRAMAY PROGRAM
The City Government of Tagum continues to extend a helping hand to Tagumenyos during one of the saddest moments of their lives as it remains to fortify the Pakikiramay Program. Previously called Pauper’s Program, the project has been running for years and provides a dignified burial for people who are indigent or those who lack resources to pay for one.
THE SERVICES EVERY TAGUMENYO MAY AVAIL INCLUDE:
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Financial Aid worth P2, 500
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Casket
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Hospitability Kit (biscuits, coffee and sugar)
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Flower Wreath
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Coffin Stand
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Set of Chandeliers
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Two candle stands
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Internment Board
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Funeral Car
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The Social Services and Gender and Development Office have also partnered with Rubio Memorial Service and Tagum Funecare to provide affordable funerary service to the people of Tagum City.
The graft above is shown the increase number of beneficiaries from 2013 up to present. The Local Chief Executive, in 2013, initially allocated 100,000.00 pesos to serve the less fortunate family who cannot immediately purchase basic funeral needs for their love ones. After 2 years, the Mayor fined it effective so he decided to increase the budget from 100,000.00 to 1,500,000.00. On the other hand, the Office of the City Social Welfare Office through its burial assistance program was expanded into two partners, the Rubio Memorial Services and Tagum Funecare, Mayor Allan Rellon decided this to happen for the reason to have immediate response of support from far flange areas of the City.
What makes it unique?
Although there are government agencies which also have this kind of program, what’s more peculiar in Tagum is the additional “Pray over Service” by the organized group of Pastors. The bereaved family will not find it difficult to look for pastors to pray over their immediate family member who is already dead. Moreover, Mayor Allan L. Rellon always gives gratitude for the support of the pastors who render service without compensation, all for the glory of God. As the saying goes at the top of the City Hall, “God Reigns Over All!” (Jessica Jean Amigo)