Davao City (DSWD XI) – In 2017, the Lingap at Gabay Para sa May Sakit (LinGap Sa MaSa) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) provided medicine needs of 14464 patients in Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) and Davao Regional Medical Center (DRMC) in Tagum City.

Under this initiative, DSWD Region XI disbursed a total of Php 134,922,703.62 million, said Gemma D. Dela Cruz, head of DSWD’s Crisis Intervention Unit.

A medicine assistance program funded by the Office of the President’s Socio- Civic Projects and with a Php 1 billion budget, LinGap Sa MaSa helps indigent Filipinos or Filipinos in crisis needing treatment for illness or injuries.

In 2017, DSWD desks were established in identified partner hospitals in regions NCR, 3, 6, 7 and 11 to operationalize the program.

In Region XI, DSWD LinGap is lodged at the Lingap Para sa Bayan interagency one-stop shop office at Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) compound, J.P. Laurel Avenue.

Lingap Para sa Bayan is a facility that caters the processing of health services offered by DSWD, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHIC), Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), and Davao’s City Social Services and Development Office (CSSDO).

Expanded coverage

In October last year, LinGap Sa MaSa was amended to cover payment for prosthetics, assistive devices, laboratory procedures and medical supplies, Dela Cruz said.

Dela Cruz said apart from the initially identified hospitals, district and provincial hospitals and other regional hospitals operated by government shall soon implement the program to cater to qualified local residents.

Target beneficiaries for Lingap are: 1] Families or individuals who are indigent, vulnerable or disadvantaged; 2] Those in the informal sector and poor based on DSWD Listahanan; and 3] Those who are in crisis situation based on assessment of social workers.

Also, Dela Cruz said the program has expanded to include employees and contract of service workers of government in crisis situation and their immediate family, wounded soldiers, and dependents of soldiers and police officers who were killed or wounded in action.

Dela Cruz said the assistance can be availed only once in three (3) months and is distinct and separate from the regular DSWD AICS (Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation) which extends financial support for hospitalization, burial, education and transportation needs.

Availing clients shall present original or certified true copy of the following: 1) any valid ID of the patient; 2) if patient has a representative, any valid ID of the representative and written authorization of the patient; 3) doctor’s prescription issued within the last three months; and 4) certificate of indigency or barangay certification. (DSWD)