BONTOC, Mountain Province, Philippines - A total of 22,376 indigent families in the ten towns of this landlocked province were already enrolled under the national health insurance program for indigent individuals being administered by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth). These families are entitled to health benefits when they fall ill and seek medical attention in various hospitals and rural health units in their places. The premium of P1,200 for each beneficiary were shared by the national government, specifically the PhilHealth and the sponsors, particularly the local government units depending on their income classifications. Records from the provincial government showed 8,983 out of the total number of beneficiaries are enrolled under the memorandum of agreement signed by the sponsoring local government and the health insurance firm.
The premium contribution of the said families is shared by the national government, the provincial government and the municipal government where the beneficiaries reside. Regular sponsored members whose premium contribution is shared by the national and local governments totaled to 6,033 families. Under the sole sponsorship program, the provincial government led by Gov. Leonardo Mayaen sponsored 2,500 families while the municipality of Bauko was able to sponsor 749 families followed by Besao with 594 families; Barlig - 280 families; Sabangan - 256 indigent families and Sagada with 198 identified poor families. (Dexter A. See)
