PHO BARES EXEMPLARY ACHIEVEMENT OF
CAMSUR NUTRITION PROGRAM

PILI, Camarines Sur — The Provincial Health Office (PHO) here has reported some 11,700 underweight children in 204 remote and coastal barangays of Camarines Sur benefited under the LRay Vita Kidz Nutrition Program last year.

Dr. Gerardo N. Villafuerte, Camarines Sur PHO chief, bared that the 11,700 children beneficiaries last year brought to a total of 25,574 children beneficiaries since the project was launched in year 2005 by Governor LRay Villafuerte.

Villafuerte noted that the program was not only successful in improving the health and nutrition status of children-beneficiaries, but also in inculcating awareness among local folks of the importance of proper nutrition and maintaining a healthy environment.

Its major components include food and vitamin supplementations, de-worming before the start of the program, nutrition class for parents, and the distribution of assorted vegetable seeds for backyard or community gardens so that the parents will have additional source of food to sustain the nutritional needs of the children-beneficiaries.

Villafuerte said that local officials and barangay leaders who monitored the progress of the children- beneficiaries during the implementation of the program were united in confirming its efficacy and efficiency.

Children-beneficiaries showed marked improvement in their weights and bearing after the almost three-month regimen under the diligent care of barangay nutritionists, health workers and PHO personnel.

According to Villafuerte, the nutritional status in Camarines Sur is gradually improving as a result of the yearly implementation of the LRay Vita Kidz program. (SNieves, MMEC/PIA)


REPRESENTATIVES NOW AUTHORIZED TO SIGN, FILE REQUIREMENTS FOR PHILHEALTH TRANSACTIONS

LEGAZPI CITY — The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) has now authorized representative of a member to file required documents to the corporation and health care providers relative to the member or the member’s dependent in availing health benefits or claims.

Orlando Iñigo, Jr., PhilHealth Bicol regional director, explained that an individual authorized by the member will now be allowed to transact with PhilHealth, including filing and signing of documents, and claiming benefit payments upon compliance of the requirements.

Iñigo elaborated that representative must be the member’s legitimate spouse, child (18 years old and above), parent (adoptive/biological/step parent), brother or sister (18 years old and above), and other individuals duly authorized by the member.

He added that should a representative sign the PhilHealth documents, documentary requirements include authorization letter from the member (optional); photocopy of identification card (ID); photocopy of any document proving that the member is an active OFW (if applicable); Enhanced Member Data Record/overseas job contract/current working visa/present employment certificate.

The lack of the necessary documents by the authorized representative could result to the non-processing of your PhilHealth claim. (PhilHealth V/PIA)


4Ps BENEFITS MORE MASBATE FOLKS

MASBATE Province — Months have passed since clusters of beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) have started backyard or community garden project and are now reaping the fruits of their labor.

Gardening is one of the communal activities to promote and strengthen the implementation of 4Ps, specifically providing additional income for the beneficiaries.

Punong Barangay Giddy Alcabasa of Pulangduta, Balud town, this province has provided a portion of lot for 4Ps beneficiaries to utilize in their project.

“The lot that the barangay government has provided them can be used for any 4Ps livelihood project that they are panning to push through, in addition to communal garden,” said Alcabasa.

Varieties of vegetables were planted like okra, peppers and eggplants. Upon harvest, parents sell it in the market or within the barangay.

“After selling, we save our income so that we can use it for monthly parent-leaders’ meeting as well for projects or if a member of our group needs money for emergency use,” said Jingle Barres, one of the parent-leaders in the barangay.

Other barangays implements similar project to raise income for their group to fund their activities, and projects.

4Ps is one of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s flagship programs which seek to reduce poverty through giving of conditional cash grants to indigent family in a monthl basis, receiving P1,400 intended for health and educational needs.

Beneficiaries under 4Ps are encouraged to render volunteer service, or involving in any activities in the community serving the purpose of promoting and strengthening the implementation of 4Ps. (MZVillagomez, DSWD V/PIA)