TACLOBAN CITY — Coconut farmers and their qualified dependents in Biliran province are set to gain improved access to healthcare services following the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) Region VIII and the Biliran Provincial Hospital (BPH) for the implementation of the Hospitalization and Medical Care Assistance (HMCA) Program.
The agreement was formalized in a ceremony held at the Office of the Provincial Governor at the Biliran Provincial Capitol, marking BPH’s official inclusion as a partner hospital under the program.
Representing the provincial government were Governor Rogelio Espina and Biliran Provincial Hospital Chief Dr. Joyce Caneja. The PCA was represented by Regional Manager III Atty. Marlon Terrado, Acting Project Development Officer IV Lourdes Grabador, and Acting Division Chief for Northwest Leyte Engr. Nita Babalcon.
The HMCA program is a sub-component of the Health and Medical Program (HMP) under the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP), which is implemented in accordance with Republic Act No. 11524 or the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act. It is designed to enhance the welfare of coconut farmers through various support mechanisms, including healthcare assistance.
With the signing of the agreement, BPH becomes the fourth partner hospital of PCA Region VIII under the HMCA Program, further expanding the agency’s network of accredited healthcare providers across Eastern Visayas.
Under the program, coconut farmers registered under the National Coconut Farmers Registry System (NCFRS) and other CFIDP-eligible beneficiaries, along with their qualified dependents, may avail of hospitalization and medical assistance at accredited facilities.
Covered benefits include hospitalization assistance of up to P40,000 per patient through a PCA-issued Guarantee Letter, subject to PhilHealth deductions and other applicable discounts. The program also provides outpatient assistance of up to P5,000 for medicines, laboratory tests, and consultations not covered by PhilHealth, as well as post-confinement support of up to P5,000 for follow-up care and medicines.
The assistance may be availed of once every three months per qualified beneficiary, subject to program guidelines. Any hospital expenses exceeding the approved coverage will be shouldered by the patient or their family prior to discharge.
PCA Region VIII expressed its gratitude to the Provincial Government of Biliran and the management of Biliran Provincial Hospital for supporting initiatives aimed at strengthening healthcare access for coconut farming communities.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
