HAPLOS releases PHP 7.5 million to 351 Ilonggos

ILOILO CITY — The Iloilo City Government’s HAPLOS, or Health Assistance sa Pumuluyo, Laboratory kag Ospital Serbis, has provided medical assistance to 351 Ilonggos, with PHP 7.5 million released since the program’s launch.

A flagship initiative of Mayor Raisa S. Treñas, HAPLOS aims to make medical and hospital assistance more accessible through partnerships with 10 hospitals across Iloilo City.

Qualified beneficiaries may receive up to PHP 50,000 in assistance through the ATIPAN Center, the city’s one-stop assistance hub for processing applications and issuing guarantee letters under the program.

Treñas said HAPLOS is intended to ensure that no Ilonggo has to forgo medical treatment because of financial difficulties.

“Ang aton nga HAPLOS Program dako gid nga bulig kay nag-partner kita sa pulo ka mga hospitals diri sa syudad. Kon sin-o nagakinahanglan, ang mga Ilonggo indi na magproblema kay may ara sila dalaganan,” she said during the Iloilo City Government’s radio program “Your City At Work.”

Treñas recalled a recent encounter with a resident who sought burial assistance after losing her mother to breast cancer.

When Treñas asked why the family had not sought treatment earlier, the resident said they did not have the money.

“Indi na ko gusto makabati sina. At least man lang, nag-try. With this program, nagapati gid ako nga ang mga Ilonggo may dalaganan na kamo, kag with this, at least nag-try kita,” she said.

With 351 beneficiaries already served and PHP 7.5 million in assistance released, HAPLOS continues to support the city government’s efforts to make health care assistance more accessible to Ilonggos in need.

How to avail of HAPLOS

HAPLOS services may be accessed through the Iloilo City ATIPAN Center on the seventh floor of City Hall near the City Mayor’s Office.

Applicants must submit the required documents, including a copy of a valid ID with three signatures, a Certificate of Indigency, a Social Case Study Report prepared by the City Social Welfare and Development Office, the final hospital bill, and a medical abstract.

If the beneficiary is unavailable, an authorized representative may process the application upon presentation of an authorization letter and valid ID.

Beneficiaries are encouraged to secure their Social Case Study Report as early as possible, even before the final hospital bill is issued, provided that a medical abstract is submitted to the CSWDO.

Additional requirements may apply depending on the type of medical assistance being sought, including total hospital charges for inpatient cases and a physician’s prescription or request for outpatient services.

To qualify for assistance, applicants must be indigent or financially incapacitated and unable to shoulder the necessary expenses for medical treatment.

Applicants must also be suffering from an illness or medical condition diagnosed by a licensed physician that is life- or limb-threatening and requires prolonged hospitalization or continuing medical care.

The cost of treatment must be significant enough to severely strain or deplete the patient’s financial resources, subject to assessment and validation by a social worker assigned by the Iloilo City Government.

Under the program, qualified residents may receive assistance for prescribed medicines, drugs, medical and orthopedic devices, and other medically necessary interventions beyond the coverage provided by PhilHealth or other financing sources, subject to program guidelines and the availability of funds.

Qualified beneficiaries may avail themselves of medical assistance once every quarter, with a maximum amount of PHP 50,000 per beneficiary per quarter.

Any unused balance from a previous availment cannot be carried over or claimed in subsequent applications. (Press Release)