SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique — More than 53,000 coconut farmers in Antique can now access up to P40,000 in medical and hospitalization assistance under a health care program funded through the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP).
The benefit became available following the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the Provincial Government of Antique and the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), extending health coverage to 53,254 registered coconut farmers across the province.
Under the program, farmers and their qualified dependents may avail themselves of hospitalization assistance worth up to P40,000, along with P5,000 for outpatient medicines and diagnostic services and another P5,000 for post-hospitalization needs. The benefits are renewable every three months.
The program covers medical services at the Angel Salazar Memorial General Hospital and all seven district hospitals in Antique, including hospitalization, medicines, laboratory tests, and other related expenses.
The agreement was signed by Governor Paolo Javier, Antique Representative Antonio Agapito “AA” Legarda Jr., PCA Regional Office 6 Acting Project Development Officer IV Engr. Dioneto Ongga, Provincial Board Members Fernando Corvera Sr. and Karmila Rose Dimamay, and Dr. Melendie Fabila-Sanchez, officer-in-charge of the Office of the Provincial Health Officer.
Javier said the provincial government is strengthening its support for the program by procuring additional medicines and medical supplies to ensure that beneficiaries receive the assistance they need.
“The medicines needed by our farmers, we will try to provide within the year so that patients will no longer need to buy medicines outside the hospital,” he said.
Meanwhile, PCA Division Chief Gregory Teñoso III said the agency is exploring partnerships with the Antique Medical Center and accredited pharmacies to further expand the program’s reach and services.
He also urged coconut farmers who own less than five hectares of land and are not yet enrolled in the PCA registry to register as soon as possible.
Teñoso noted that eligible farmers may sign up at the PCA office in San Jose de Buenavista or through their respective municipal agriculture offices, with coverage taking effect immediately upon registration.
The CFIDP health program is part of the government’s broader effort to improve the welfare of coconut farmers by providing access not only to livelihood support but also to essential healthcare services.|TMT West Visayas Bureau
