DSWD-7 implements LINGAP SA MASA program

• Source: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1071489998600/dswd-7-implements-lingap-sa-masa-program
• Friday, March 24, 2017

By Juju Empuerto (rmn/jsme/PIA7-Cebu/DSWD-7)

CEBU CITY (PIA) --- More indigent Filipinos can now avail of free medicines through the LibrengGamot Para sa Masa or LINGAP SA MASA, according to Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-7) Listahanan Information Officer Kerwin Macopia.

According to Macopia, the free medicine assistance program is funded under President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s Socio-Civic Projects Funds and to be implemented by DSWD in partnership with a selected regional hospital.

In Region 7, DSWD-7 inked a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) for the provision of free medicines to indigent patients in the Central Visayas region on February 9, 2017.

The signing of MOA coincide with DSWD's 66th anniversary celebration held in SM Seaside City Cebu.

“We will set up a desk in VSMCC so that it would be easy for the patients who will be needing prescription medicines to be immediately assessed by our assigned social worker,” said DSWD-7 Regional Director Ma. Evelyn Macapobre.

“A guarantee letter will be issued by DSWD for the purchase of medicines from hospital pharmacies or from partner drug stores,” Macapobre added.

Macapobre clarified that this medicine program is distinct and separate from the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS).

Target beneficiaries of this program are 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 assessment of social workers;

4. Government employees and contract of service workers working in the government; and

5. Beneficiaries of soldiers and police who were killed or wounded in the line of duty.

The “Lingap sa Masa” medicine assistance program is in response to President Duterte’s directive to give indigent Filipinos access to free medicines to help them recover from their illnesses.

Requirements to avail these free medicines are:

1. Any valid ID of the patient;

2. Valid ID of the representative and a written authorization signed by the patient;

3. Doctor’s prescription issued not later than three (3) months; and

4. Proof of indigency from the Barangay or Certification issued by the medical social service of an identified hospital.

The program is initially implemented in other four regions, namely NCR, Regions 3, 6, and 11.

Once it expands, DSWD plans to make the assistance available to all regions.