Legazpi City: The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Bicol (DSWD-5) has confirmed that guarantee letters (GL) will continue to be accepted as payment for medicines, laboratory fees, hospital bills, and funeral services in the region. This assurance comes as a relief to many residents who rely on this system for financial support during medical and funeral emergencies.

According to Philippines News Agency, DSWD-5 Regional Director Norman Laurio stated that the maximum amount of a GL is set at PHP150,000, depending on the services availed by patients. For medicines and laboratory fees, the maximum amount is typically PHP10,000, although some establishments may allow higher amounts. Laurio emphasized that GLs can also be utilized for laboratories and assistive devices such as prostheses, with partnerships like that of Simon of Cyrene allowing more than PHP10,000 based on the prosthesis price. These partnerships with medical, laboratory, and healthcare providers aim to facilitate assistance for Bicolanos in need.

Laurio further mentioned that partner pharmacies and their branches across the region would expand the program’s service coverage. Starting tomorrow, beneficiaries in need of assistive devices like prostheses will be referred to the Simon of Cyrene Rehabilitation and Development Foundation, Inc. This initiative will augment the support extended to Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).

Additionally, Laurio announced the impending collaboration with Mercury Drug, expected to be operational within this month. Twelve Mercury Drug branches, including those in Albay, Sorsogon, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, and Masbate, will start accepting GLs as payment. Other pharmacies involved, under existing government agreements, include the Generic Pharmacy, Daet Pharmacy, Nituda Pharmacy, Saints Cosmas and Damian Pharmacy, Mary Rich Pharmacy, and Med to Go Drugstore.

Laboratories in Bicol accepting GLs comprise Daraga Diagnostics Laboratory and Animal Bite Center Inc., Masbate Medical Mission Group, Balmadrid Medical and Surgical and Diagnostic Services, and Unihealth Diagnostic Center, among others.

In a separate interaction, Danny Alano from Legazpi City expressed gratitude for the GL system, highlighting its significant benefit to his family. Similarly, Sharahden Asuncion shared that the DSWD’s guarantee letter alleviated her concerns about financing her operation.