DSWD serves 2,137 indigents under “Libreng Gamot Para sa Masa”

The program, a project of President Rodrigo Duterte, has a PHP1 billion fund for medicine assistance for indigent patients who need help in buying their medication. (Photo: Taki Steve/ Flickr)

MANILA–A total of 2,137 individuals have already benefited from the “Libreng Gamot Para sa Masa” (Lingap) Program, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said in a news release issued on Wednesday.

The program, a project of President Rodrigo Duterte, has a PHP1 billion fund for medicine assistance for indigent patients who need help in buying their medication.

It is implemented in six hospitals -– the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital for the National Capital Region (NCR); Jose B. Lingad Memorial Hospital in San Fernando City, Pampanga for Central Luzon; Western Visayas Medical Center in Iloilo City for Western Visayas; Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City for Central Visayas; Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City and Davao Regional Hospital in Tagum City, both in the Davao region.

Taguiwalo reported that as of April 12, a total of PHP15.48 million has been used for the medicines of patients who have availed of the program, with PHP984,512,549.94 still available.

Of the total number of patients who have availed of free medicines, 1,124 beneficiaries were from Central Luzon, 467 from NCR, 295 from the Davao region, and 159 from Central Visayas.

Meanwhile, the social welfare chief encouraged indigent patients to take advantage of the program.

“We have a President who cares for the overall welfare of the poor. We encourage patients who need help buying their medicines to take this opportunity,” she said.

Under the program, indigents who are either confined in or receiving outpatient treatment from identified hospitals and need prescription medicines are qualified to become beneficiaries of Lingap.