Vilma Santos-Recto Leads MOA Signing with Batangas Hospitals for Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Struggling Patients.

Former Batangas Governor and Congresswoman Vilma Santos-Recto spearheaded the simultaneous signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Department of Health (DOH) and various public and private hospitals in the Province of Batangas to provide medical assistance to indigent and financially incapacitated patients.

Before Vilma Santos-Recto became a congresswoman, the Medical Assistance for Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) program faced significant challenges due to bureaucratic red tape. Previously, payments to hospitals had to be disbursed through a Local Government Unit, causing delays in providing crucial medical aid. However, upon becoming a congresswoman, together with then-Senator Ralph Recto, she pushed for a policy change that allowed DOH to directly pay private hospitals, streamlining the process and ensuring faster assistance for those in need.

This year, the Medical Assistance Program will not only cover indigent patients but will also extend to financially incapacitated patients. This includes professionals, earning patients such as teachers and other workers, who, for various reasons, are now struggling to pay their medical expenses. The expanded scope ensures that those who were once self-sufficient but are now facing financial hardship can receive the medical care they need.

The initiative aims to strengthen access to essential healthcare services for those in need by facilitating financial aid through DOH’s Medical Assistance Program. The agreement ensures that eligible patients across the province can receive necessary medical care without the burden of excessive costs.

“I am honored to be part of this significant step towards making healthcare more accessible to our constituents, quality accessible healthcare will always be my priority” said Vilma Santos-Recto. “This collaboration between the government and healthcare institutions will help alleviate the financial struggles of indigent and financially incapacitated patients and their families.”

The MOA signing brought together key stakeholders from the healthcare sector, local government units, and representatives from both public and private hospitals. Through this partnership, hospitals will work closely with DOH to streamline the medical assistance process, ensuring that qualified patients receive timely support.

Health officials lauded the initiative as a vital move toward universal healthcare in Batangas. “This agreement reinforces our commitment to providing medical services to those who need them the most,” said Assistant Secretary Ariel Valencia of DOH. “With the support of public and private hospitals, we can effectively bridge the gap in healthcare accessibility.”

The medical assistance program covers a wide range of services, including hospitalization, diagnostics, treatment, and emergency care. Qualified beneficiaries will undergo an assessment to determine eligibility for financial support.

As a witness to this very important event, Vilma Santos-Recto was joined by her sons Ryan Christian Recto and Luis “Lucky” Manzano, along with Batangas Members of the House of Representatives and Mayors of Batangas.

Prior to the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement, Vilma Santos-Recto, together with her two sons and government officials, visited the site of the ongoing construction of the DOH Regional Office and DSWD Regional Office in Lipa City. This significant infrastructure project would not have been possible without the initiative and leadership of Vilma Santos-Recto and Secretary Ralph Recto, further reinforcing their commitment to improving public service and social welfare in the province.

For 2025, the total budget allocated for the Medical Assistance for Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) program across the entire country is 74 billion pesos, ensuring more individuals will have access to essential healthcare services.

This collaborative effort underscores the ongoing commitment of Vilma Santos-Recto and the leaders of One Batangas to prioritize healthcare and social welfare programs for its people.