SEN. Erwin Tulfo yesterday scored the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. for its failure to provide wheelchairs, assistive mobility devices, prescription eyeglasses, and hearing aids to indigent senior citizens and persons with disabilities.
Tulfo, chairman of the Committee on Social Justice, Welfare, and Rural Development, said indigent seniors are part of the PhilHealth benefit package and he sees no reason why they should be disregarded.
“Why is there a delay in delivering wheelchairs and mobility devices such as crutches and walking sticks?” he said.
He added that PhilHealth should also be providing free prescription eyeglasses and hearing aids to seniors, which was seconded by Sen. Risa Hontiveros, who said that persons with disabilities should be covered by the benefit package.
“I believe that you can provide this to our senior citizens and PWDs given your enormous budget. You cannot simply say that they receive a social pension because they allot that to their daily budget, particularly for food,” Tulfo said.
Jojit Mislang, chief PhilHealth social insurance specialist, said the requirements for receiving prescription eyeglasses and hearing aids are just being prioritized before the delivery of the benefit package since they are not covered by the existing benefit package.
“Sir, the prescription eyeglasses and some hearing devices, right now, are not yet covered by PhilHealth. As to the wheelchairs and mobility devices, they were just recently included in PhilHealth’s benefits,” Mislang said.
Tulfo recalled that when he was still a member of the House of Representatives last year, PhilHealth gave the assurance that prescription eyeglasses would be available soon.
Mislang said PhilHealth prioritized giving prescription eyeglasses to children based on consultations with the Department of Health.
Tulfo said PhilHealth president and chief executive officer Edwin Mercado should be present in the next hearing to explain the issues since the state insurer has been saying that prescription eyeglasses are already available.
“Madam committee secretary, I want you to invite the chairman of PhilHealth. Because this seems like a promise that they cannot fulfill. Last year, they were saying that they are available, the prescription glasses will be out, the hearing aids. Those are what senior citizens need,” he added.
He said PhilHealth has been receiving funds for that purpose from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), which should have been used to purchase such devices without delay.
“Tell your leader that this committee is not happy with false promises. Simple eyeglasses, walking sticks, canes, hearing aids for senior citizens and PWDs you cannot provide. We need concrete actions. I am expecting that for the next hearing,” he added.
