Author: pixelpgsnadmin

Lingayen, Pangasinan: Despite suspension of work in the provincial government due to the unfavorable weather conditions, the CSC Central Office Validators/Audit Team arrived on July 25 for the Program to Institutionalize Meritocracy and Excellence in Human Resource Management (PRIME-HRM): Conversational Onsite Monitoring of the Provincial Government of Pangasinan (PGP).

Human Resource Management and Development Officer Janette C. Asis welcomed them at the Capitol Resort Hotel.

“Ang direction na sinusundan namin is aligned with the Civil Service PRIME. Habang ginagawa namin lahat ng programang ito, totally achieved namin, kasi kayo po ang nagbigay ng criteria/direction ng pagtahak namin sa PRIME-HRM, which will help us to really achieve our objective to be a PRIME and to be a quality office in the Provincial Government of Pangasinan,” Asis said as she expressed gratitude to the team.

‘I am looking forward to any information or feedback na pwede naming maidagdag sa aming journey for the 3rd and 4th level ng aming accreditation sa PRIME-HRM.’

She further said that they have created a Provincial Learning and Development Institute that will conduct and offer trainings not just for employees of PGP.

CSC Audit Team Leader Dario R. Espe provided an orientation and overview of the activity.

Espe said that the activity was a conversation about the PRIME-HRM journey and the sharing of good practices of the PGP in their journey towards level 2 accreditation and, hopefully, level 3.

‘Ako’y nakikiusap to be very generous in sharing your journey, para meron po tayong mabitbit na packets of excellence,’ Espe said.

PGP was awarded a Certificate of Accreditation for the revalidation of its Level II Accredited Status under PRIME-HRM, pursuant to CSC Resolution No. 1301386, thereby granting authority to take final action on appointments.

Moreover, there was a Certificate of Recognition for obtaining Maturity Level II in Recruitment, Selection, and Placement; Performance Management System; Learning and Development; and Rewards and Recognition as a result of their determination and invaluable efforts to promote excellence in their agency through efficient and effective public service delivery.

The Civil Service Commission then conferred to the Provincial Government of Pangasinan the (PRIME-HRM) bronze award.

The provincial government, through HRMDO, was compliant with the PRIME-HRM maturity indicators, including the processes, programs, and projects performed and managed by the province for its employees, which were attuned to the CSC requirements.

Sharing their journey, Asis said that there were many challenges, but the most rewarding was how they had overcome those challenges. (Chona C. Bugayong, Orlan Llemos, and Joey Olimpo/PIMRO)

LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—The Provincial Government of Pangasinan (PGP) undertakes a series of relief operations starting Thursday, July 25, for Typhoon Carina-stricken communities.

With the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) at the forefront of relief operations, family food packs and hygiene kits were initially distributed on July 25 to some evacuees in four evacuation centers in Mangatarem and one evacuation center in Labrador. Joining the relief team in Mangatarem town were 2nd District Board Member Philip Theodore Cruz, the Provincial Health Office (PHO) team led by Dr. Cielo Almoite, and the Provincial Disaster and Risk Reduction Office (PDRRMO).  A total of 120 family food packs and 335 hygiene kits were distributed.

On its second day of relief operations, the team distributed 40 family food packs and 135 hygiene kits to two evacuation centers in Aguilar, while 30 family food packs and 120 hygiene kits were distributed to six evacuation centers in Lingayen. All evacuees were served hot meals through Guicosina.

In the municipalities of Bautista and Mangatarem, the PHO gave medicines.

Meanwhile, the PDRRMO led by Ret. Col. Rhodyn Luchinvar Oro continuously conducts post-disaster monitoring and gathers updates regarding the effects brought by Super Typhoon Carina in Pangasinan.

As stated in the PDRRMO 11AM situational report on July 26, the province incurred over P91 million worth of damage to infrastructure and more than P8.8 million worth of damage to agriculture.

Typhoon Carina exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) yesterday morning (July 25), but continuously enhanced the southwest monsoon, which caused moderate to heavy rains over the western section of Luzon.

Due to heavy rains and flooding, Governor Ramon V. Guico III ordered the suspension of classes at all levels as well as work in government offices all over Pangasinan on July 25. On the following day, suspensions were carried out for classes at all levels, both public and private. Eight LGUs, on the other hand, declared suspensions of work in government offices due to flooding.

As per the report of the PDRRMO, a total of 214 families, or some 827 individuals, were sheltered during the onslaught of the heavy rains in various evacuation centers in Bani, Alaminos City, Labrador, Infanta, Mangatarem, Sison, Urdaneta City, and Burgos.

The water level at San Roque Dam as of 5 a.m. of July 26  was posted at 239.06 masl. The spilling level is 280 masl.

As of press time, all national roads are passable to all types of vehicles, while four barangay roads are not yet passable to any type of vehicle.

(Ruby F. Rayat with reports from PSWDO and PDRRMO/Photos: Jairus Sibayan, Sydney Soriano| PIMRO)

The Provincial Health Office (PHO) is intensifying its health campaign following the rise in dengue cases in Pangasinan.

Dr. Anna Ma. Teresa S. De Guzman, provincial health officer, said that PHO has recorded 1,111 cases and eight deaths from January 1 to July 22 this year. This is higher compared to 926 cases and five deaths recorded in the same period last year.

Municipalities and cities under the PHO watchlist are Lingayen, which has the highest recorded dengue cases with 210; Bayambang (85); Bugallon (79); Urbiztondo (75); San Carlos City (71); Binmaley (55); Mangatarem (53); Labrador (49); and Calasiao (35).

Meanwhile, the eight reported deaths were traced in the towns of Lingayen (5), Sual (1), Binmaley (1), and San Carlos City (1), respectively.

The PHO, together with the 14 provincial government-run hospitals, has further intensified its preparedness, prevention, mitigating measures, and health campaign, particularly on the 4S (Search and Destroy Mosquito Breeding Sites; Self-Protection Measures; Say No to Indiscriminate Fogging; and Seek Early Consultation).

Dengue insecticides were also provided for fogging and misting.

PHO likewise conducted consultation meetings and collaboration meetings with various stakeholders, particularly barangay officials, and enjoined the environmental and vector control program managers for the ‘Brigada Eskwela’ to ensure the protection of students, especially with the upcoming opening of classes.

“Kasama din po sa mga ginagawa natin ay yung patuloy na pag conduct ng Blood Mobile donation,’ yun pong ating ‘Blood Letting’ program kasi naghahanda kami at nag-iimbak tayo ng safe and quality blood para kung sakali man na may mangangailangan ng dugo, meron tayong makukuha or may magagamit ang ating mga kababayan,” Dra. De Guzman added.

Symptoms of dengue include fever, headache, muscle and joint pains, swollen glands, pain behind the eyes, rash, nausea, and vomiting, among others.

Aedes aegypti is a day-biting mosquito that causes dengue or hemorrhagic fever, affecting primarily the vulnerable groups, which are children aged five to 15 years old.

‘Pinaiigting ng mga hospitals ang kapasidad nila na sumuri ng ating mga pasyente. Alam din po natin na may mga pediatrician tayo kaya kung mga bata ang affected, pinakamainam ay mabigyan sila agad ng agarang lunas, masuri sila at mabantayan ng sa ganun ay hindi mag progress ang kanilang mga sakit at hindi magkaroon ng kumplikasyon na mangangailangan ng mga dugo,’ Dra. De Guzman said.

(Chona C. Bugayong, with reports from Ms. Terry Aquino/PIMRO)

LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—The Provincial Government of Pangasinan (PGP) takes pride in congratulating the Special Program in the Arts students of Alaminos City National High School (ACNHS) for bagging the ‘Magic Film Award’ in the recently concluded Busan International Kids and Youth (BIKY) Film Festival held in Busan, South Korea.

Made official through a Provincial Resolution that was authored by Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member Carolyn D. Sison and approved during the regular session of the provincial board on July 22, it was disclosed that said students won the prestigious award for their short film entitled “Peymus.”

“The award-winning film ‘Peymus’ was also adjudged the Best Film in the Ready Action 18 International Category during the said film festival competition,” the resolution stated, adding that the SPA students of ACNHS likewise presented another short film entry entitled ‘Ti Bisikleta Ni Arong’, which was directed by Branded Josh Domingo and clinched the Top 10 in the Ready Action 15 category.

Hence, the resolution further stated, “Both films produced by the ACNHS are the only Philippine films that made it to the said international film festival.”

For this, the provincial board, on behalf of the provincial government, expressed its full support to the young filmmakers for bringing honor to Pangasinan.

Held from July 10 to 14, 2024, the Busan International Kids and Youth Film Festival has showcased 45 films out of 465 entries by different productions and filmmakers from 34 countries around the world.

BIKY is an international film festival for the young generation that serves as an international hub for kids and youth films.

(Ruby F. Rayat/Photo: Joey Olimpo| PIMRO)

Lingayen, Pangasinan—The Amendment on the KonSulTa Capitation Sharing, which will be received by the health workers and engaged local government units, served as one of the focal points of the recent Provincial Health Board (PHB) Meeting held at the Urduja Ceremonial Hall here.

PHB Vice Chairman Anna Ma. Teresa De Guzman said that PhilHealth has increased the KonSulTa Capitation from P500.00/individual in 2003 to P1,700.00/individual effective January 2024 as per PhilHealth Circular No. 2024-0013.

‘Ito pong Capitation Fund ay kasali siya na pondo na ilalagay sa Special Health Fund na siya naman ima-manage ng Provincial Health Board (PHB). Ito pong PHB ay pinalawak at pinalakas,’ Dra. De Guzman disclosed.

From the P1,700.00, 80% will go to the Pooled Special Health Fund, which is a component of the Universal Health Care for financial risk protection of Pangasinenses, while the other 20% will be the performance incentives of the health workers.

The 80% pooled fund under the Special Health Fund will be used for the purchase of additional medicines, including 21 molecules to be used for check-ups, maintenance of our constituents, and laboratory and diagnostic tests.

It will also be used for capital investments like the repair of hospitals, health centers, local government units (LGUs), or barangay health stations (either construction or renovation), as well as the purchase of ambulances aimed at strengthening our ambulance network and referral system in the province as well as the capability of our health facilities.

Moreover, 80% will be for the health operation cost, which means payment for the capacity development of health workers in the field of disaster risk reduction to address and respond during disasters and calamities.

Various utilization components of the 80% further include strengthening the information facility and digital solution, remuneration, or hiring additional health workers towards improved and better health services, among many others.

Gov. Ramon V. Guico III’s directive is to register and commit to PhilHealth the two million population of the province, Dra. De Guzman would bring a huge KonSulTa Capitation Fund amounting to 3.4 billion to the province.

As to Universal Health Care, which covers essential health services from promotion to prevention, curative, and rehabilitation, Dra. De Guzman said that it is currently accelerated in the province, and its implementation is a priority program of the governor.

The governor was among the proponents of Universal Health Care Republic Act 11223 during his term as 5th District Congressman, making UHC close to his heart.

The governor is currently pushing for the modernization of the 14 hospitals and their capacity to respond to the needs of the LGU.

‘Mas malusog na Pangasinense ang ating isinusulong sa probinsiya ng Pangasinan,’ Dra. De Guzman said.

(Chona C. Bugayong/PIMRO)

LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—Pangasinan hails its queen, Limgas na Pangasinan 2023 Nikki Buenafe, for bagging the title ‘Miss Multinational Philippines’ during the grand coronation night for Miss World Philippines 2024 last July 19.

Doubly elated, Pangasinan First Lady Maan Tuazon-Guico, executive chair of Limgas na Pangasinan, commended the Binmaley beauty for bringing honor to the province.

Earlier, the First Lady stated, “Limgas na Pangasinan is in search of the totality of the fairest maiden who can live up to the crown and who can carry the province’s name in the national arena or even in the international scene.”

With the full support of the provincial government, Mrs. Guico transformed the Limgas na Pangasinan into a world-class brand by enlisting the help of Aces and Queens, a beauty camp that provides training and coaching to pageant candidates. “The provincial government will not only support the winners financially; we will also guide them every step of the way when they participate in the nationals,” the First Lady earlier said.

Also, for the first time in the history of Limgas, the province has partnered with the Miss World Philippines Organization. Hence, the title holders will automatically compete in national beauty pageants like Miss World Philippines and Miss Grand International.

“We aim that this pageant will have purpose, will have a heart, and will teach the ladies to have their own purpose through their advocacies, and of course, a heart to serve the province of Pangasinan. We hope that our pageant will show the Philippines and show everyone what Pangasinan is all about,” noted the Limgas chairperson and province’s First Lady.

Meanwhile, with Ms. Buenafe’s national title, she will get the chance to represent the Philippines in its international counterpart in India. (Ruby F. Rayat/PIMRO)

Lingayen, Pangasinan- Some 300 Capitol workers flocked to the Provincial Training and Development Center on July 18 to avail of the free beauty care services.

Employees always looked forward to the monthly Employees’ Health and Wellness and Beauty Care as a way of giving themselves a well-deserved treat.

Spearheaded by the Human Resource Management Office (HRMO) and the Health and Wellness Club (HWC), said program is just one of the many benefits and healthy lifestyle initiatives that the present administration has for the employees.

During the activity, the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAG) gave employees some vegetable seeds such as eggplant, string beans, pechay, sili, upo, etc.

There was also a tasting and sampling of Kobe’s products, like lempo, beef tapa, pork tapa, and marinated chicken, among others.

Guicosina and other partner exhibitors were present. (Chona C. Bugayong, Orlan Llemos/PIMRO)

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan—Pangasinan Governor Ramon V. Guico III, together with Vice Gov. Mark Ronald DG. Lambino, joined President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in his visit to the province for the disbtribution of various government assistance to fisherfolks, families, and farmers on July 19.

Leading the ceremonial distribution of agrarian debt condonation certificates to 3,558 farmer-beneficiaries of Region 1, with Pangasinan having the most number of beneficiaries at 3,161; Ilocos Norte, 246; Ilocos Sur, 34; and La Union, 117, the President was quoted saying, “Ang mga certificate na ito ay simbolo ng katuparan ng ating pangako na buburahin natin ang pagkakautang ng ating agrarian reform beneficiaries dito sa Region 1.”

It was another historic first in the province under the present administration since, one year after the enactment of the New Agrarian Emancipation Act (NAEA), the Department of Agrarian Reform conducted the first distribution of COCROMs to Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) of Region 1 (Ilocos Region) in Lingayen, Pangasinan. COCROMs covering a total of P50.6 million in agrarian debt, benefiting 3,558 Ilokano and Pangasinense ARBS, have been distributed.

The distribution of the certificates is part of Republic Act (RA) No. 11953, also known as the New Agrarian Emancipation Act (NAEA).

NAEA represents the most significant agrarian reform legislation enacted during the President’s administration and eases the burden of agrarian debt for thousands of farmer beneficiaries of land grants from the government.

Through the NAEA, the National Government condones all unpaid outstanding loans, amortizations, interests, penalties, and surcharges arising from the award of agricultural lands to qualified farmers under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) and related agrarian laws.

It likewise assumes the obligation of paying the remaining debt to landowners of beneficiaries who were granted lands under the Voluntary Land Transfer and Direct Payment Scheme.

In effect, the NAEA gives land for free to the landless farmers and guarantees the provision of strategic support services to beneficiaries to enable them to achieve sustained farm productivity, increase their farm incomes, and improve the quality of life of their families.

Also, the President issued Executive Order No. 40 series of 2023, which imposes a moratorium on the payment of land grant amortizations until 2028 for ARBs granted lands after the passage of the NAEA.

As stated by Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Secretary Conrado Estrella III in his speech, more than 600 farmers benefited from the Condonation Law. Said beneficiaries will no longer pay their debts, which amount to over P57 billion. “Walang amortization fee, libre na ang lupa na natanggap sa administrasyon ni Presidente,” he disclosed.

In addition to the COCROM program, the President also brought various forms of assistance to the province, including cash assistance for some 4,616 families from different localities in the province. Said distribution is under the ‘Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program’ of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), which amounted to P46, 000,000.

Gov. Guico, on behalf of the province, received presidential assistance worth P48.76 million. The other three Region 1 provinces also received assistance, as follows: Ilocos Norte, P50 million; Ilocos Sur, P43.33 million; and La Union, P42.9 million.

Other assistance accorded to Pangasinan includes the following: Agri-Negosyo Loan Program amounting to P80 million; Crop Insurance Corporation-Indemnity check for farmers/fisherfolks worth P4,000,000; Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-Tulong Pangkabuhayan for displaced workers worth P20 million; Dept. of Trade and Industry’s shared service facilities amounting to more than P9.6 million; training allowance for metal art welding worth P68,000 plus tool kits worth more than P353,000 and P32,000 plus tool kits amounting to P35,000 for Masonry trainees. All attendees were given food packs and five kilos of rice each.

Expressing his appreciation for the various assistance given to the province, Gov. Guico thanked the president on behalf of the more than three million Pangasinenses.

“Nagpapasalamat po ako sa ating butihing Pangulo sa kanyang pagbisita at sa lahat ng programa na kanyang itinaguyod para sa kapakanan ng taumbayan,” Governor Guico said in his speech.

Also present during the phenomenal event were DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, DAR Undersecretary Kazel Celeste, DAR Regional Director Maria Anna Francisco, Congressman Arthur Celeste, governors and vice governors of the three provinces, and local chief executives, among many others. (Chona C. Bugayong & Ruby F. Rayat/PIMRO)

LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—Pangasinenses root for its queen, Limgas na Pangasinan World 2023 Nikki Buenafe, in her attempt to bring home the much-coveted crown for Miss World Philippines 2024 on July 19 at SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

It can be recalled that Nikhisah Buenafe Cheveh from the town of Binmaley bested 24 other candidates in the 2023 Limgas na Pangasinan search, which automatically allowed her to represent the province in Miss World 2024.

Nikki is a graduate of BA in Asian Studies from the University of Sto. Tomas.

Dubbed one of the early favorites, the Pangasinense beauty was picked among the Top 10 in the Head-to-Head Challenge Preliminary on the official YouTube channel of Miss World Philippines. In this event, the candidates were given the chance to showcase their speaking and presentation skills, along with their intelligence and quick thinking.

Miss World Philippines 2024 is the 12th edition of the pageant, wherein Negros Occidental beauty Gwendolyne Fourniol is the reigning queen.

(Ruby F. Rayat/PIMRO)

LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—For the longest time, the mountain village of Malico in San Nicolas town has been a recipient of various projects funded by the Provincial Government of Pangasinan.

The support for the mountain villagers manifests deep concern over the welfare of the people who trace their roots to Pangasinan being their bailiwick.

Tracing back, the province, under the stewardship of then-Governor Victor E. Agbayani, has implemented a shallow tube well program to address the scarcity of irrigation water in the area.

In January 2003, a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was entered into and signed by former Gov. Agbayani and the Barangay Council of Malico, represented by then Punong Barangay Joseph Tindaan.

As stipulated in the MOA, the provincial government distributed pump and engine sets through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAg). This has greatly benefited the farmers.

Malico National High School and Malico Elementary School were established and have been under the jurisdiction of the Pangasinan II Schools Division of the Department of Education.

Meanwhile, in his most recent visit to the mountain village this month, Governor Ramon V. Guico III stated that Malico is part of Pangasinan.

Gov. Guico said he would answer the claim of Governor Jose V. Gambito that the mountain village belongs to Nueva Vizcaya in the proper forum.

More than the ownership, the provincial government, under the stewardship of Gov. Guico, has prioritized the well-being of the mountain villagers by extending various social services.

In a meeting at the Governor’s Office in 2022 under the present administration, Malico barangay captain Jaime Segundo vehemently said that Pangasinan was the only province to which his village belonged. Segundo shared during the meeting that he was born and raised in that mountain village and has always been proud of San Nicolas as his natal landscape.

Gov. Guico’s first trip to Malico as the provincial chief executive dates back to October 19, 2022. That time, he was able to listen to the pleas of village residents regarding their urgent need for social services and vowed to address their needs.

The governor returned to the village on March 20, 2023, and led the inauguration of the Barangay Disaster Operations Center.

To enhance the preparedness of the villagers during times of calamity, training on ‘Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation—Disaster Risk Reduction and Basic Life Support was conducted by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) in December 2023. This was attended by some 40 barangay officials and health workers.

Aside from the barangay disaster operations center, a tourism office will soon be established along with a Philippine National Police (PNP) barracks to ensure peace and order in the community.

In his recent visit to Malico, when he brought ‘LINGAP ed Barangay or Local Initiatives: Guidance and Assistance Program last July 4, Gov. Guico pledged to earmark P200 million for the village to be utilized for various projects, including social and medical services for the residents.

The governor further stated that he welcomes development projects that will be accorded by the other province, as he emphasized that what truly matters is the improvement of the lives of fellow Pangasinenses residing in Malico.

(Ruby F. Rayat/PIMRO)

Some 1,500 incoming freshman students took the two-day Pangasinan Polytechnic College Admission Test (PPCAT) held last July 15 and 16 at the Provincial Training and Development Center (PTDC).

Initially, only 400 applicants who passed the qualifying exam will receive free education for the PPC’s Bachelor of Public Administration major in Local Governance, Bachelor of Multi-Media Arts, Bachelor of Special Needs Education, and Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness. However, Governor Ramon V. Guico III pleaded with PPC to accept 300 more scholars.

‘ Nakiusap ang ating mahal na gobernador kung puwedeng taasan pa. It breaks his heart that we will not be able to accept all, and we said, We are open to receiving more. Yung kagustuhan niya talaga, yung makatulong sa mas nakakarami,’ Pangasinan Polytechnic College (PPC) President Raymundo D. Rovillos said.

Aside from the PPCAT, the 25-day training/class for the NCII Electrical Installation and Maintenance likewise started on July 15 with 50 learners throughout Pangasinan.

Dr. Rovillos disclosed that with 175 slots, there will be several batches of training to accommodate said slots until the end of the year.

“We are very excited. Today is a very historic moment; makasaysayan dahil may nagaganap na dalawa. We are receiving the first 50 learners for our NCII Electrical Installation and Maintenance under TESDA under the auspices of the PPC Center for Lifelong Learning,” Dr. Rovillos said.

PPC will start its classes on August 12.

‘Masaya dahil nagiging realidad na yung pangarap ni Gov. Mon Mon at pangarap nating lahat. We are emotional because we were able to help,’ Dr. Rovillos added.

The establishment of PPC under the leadership of Gov. Ramon V. Guico III was expected to improve the physical, intellectual, and material well-being of Pangasinenses by acquiring higher occupational, technical, and professional instruction in the applied arts and sciences and learning related to the fields of commerce, business administration, and technology, among many others.

(Chona C. Bugayong, with reports from Rich Majin/JP de Vera/PIMRO)

LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—Governor Ramon V. Guico III’s vision to upgrade the services of the 14 government hospitals in the province will further be established with the construction of more hemodialysis centers in the province.

Dr. Racquel S. Ogoy, Medical Officer III, Provincial Hospital Management Services Office, said the provincial government intends to put up hemodialysis centers in all district hospitals.

Currently, the province has two hemodialysis centers located in Pangasinan Provincial Hospital (PPH) in Bolingit, San Carlos City, and in Urdaneta District Hospital (UDH). The other district hospitals are as follows: Bayambang District Hospital, Western Pangasinan District Hospital (WPDH), Eastern Pangasinan District Hospital (EPDH), Lingayen District Hospital (LDH), and Mangatarem District Hospital (MDH).

“Our target is to put up hemodialysis centers in all district hospitals in Pangasinan,” Dr. Ogoy said as she disclosed that so far, the hemodialysis center in WPDH has been fully constructed and is currently processing its accreditation and securing other permits like an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC). The said facility will operate with 15 hemodialysis machines.

In addition, Dr. Ogoy said the province will conduct Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), to be attended by about 50 medical and allied professionals from the 14 government hospitals. This, she said, is part of the preparation for the opening of the hemodialysis centers as envisioned by Gov. Guico.

The hemodialysis center in PPH is presently operating with thirteen (13) hemodialysis machines, while UDH has 10. To cater to the needs of more patients, the province has entered into a partnership with Urdaneta Sacred Hospital, which is a private hospital, to assist the province. The latter has 40 hemodialysis machines.

Once established, the Lingayen District Hospital hemodialysis center will have 13 hemodialysis machines, while EPDH will operate with 15 hemodialysis machines.

Meanwhile, Dr. Ogoy cited that PhilHealth recently issued Circular No. 2024-0014 for the institutionalization of 156 hemodialysis sessions and coverage expansion (Revision 1) to establish the rules for availing the adjusted rates of the 156 HD sessions benefits package. The circular shall apply to “beneficiaries diagnosed with chronic kidney disease stage 5 (CKD5) who are registered in the PhilHealth Dialysis Database (PDD).”

HD package inclusions are as follows: drugs and medicines; laboratory tests; supplies (either of the following types of dialyzers: low-flux or high-flux); administrative and other fees.

Hence, the PhilHealth circular noted that “all PhilHealth beneficiaries with CKD5 undergoing hemodialysis shall have no payment or out-of-pocket for the covered services or minimum standards listed.”

The PhilHealth circular took effect on July 1, 2024. (Ruby F. Rayat/PIMRO)