Everyone fights different battles every day. Some small and some big. Some trivial and some significant. Some light and some difficult. But there are some who are battling with big, significant and difficult challenges that can either break or toughen an individual.
When two (2) Ilonggos were diagnosed with a critical illness, they thought that their future had already been written. Their doctor’s words, speaking with urgency, echoed in their thoughts for weeks. Upon learning of their condition, both were in a range of strong emotions—from shock to worry; from hopelessness to fear; and from despair to profound sadness. They had difficulty to function nor to think straight, but they still remained hopeful.
Mr. Ricardo Arcillas, a senior citizen from Jaro, Iloilo City, was diagnosed with cancer in 2024. “Sang nagligad nga tuig, may nahikapan ako nga bukol sa akon wala nga dughan, gilayon ako nagpadulong sa doctor para magpa-tsek up,” (Last year, while I was taking a bath, I felt a lump in my right chest. I immediately went to the doctor for a check-up), Arcillas said. Arcillas had undergone surgery for the removal of his mass and after biopsy, he was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer.
Mr. Francisco Mata, also a senior citizen from Timawa, Molo, Iloilo City, was diagnosed with a cardiac problem and was advised to undergo a heart bypass immediately. “Sang nabal-an ko nga isa ako sa mga pwede maka-avail sang Z-benefit sang PhilHealth, nagtulo gid akon luha kag nagpasalamat sa Ginoo sa paghatag sa akon sang kahigayunan nga mapalawig pa ang akon kabuhi,” (When I learned that I am one of the recipients of PhilHealth, I cried and thanked the Lord for giving me a new lease in life), said Francisco Mata, a senior citizen who availed of the CABG package of PhilHealth. Mata recounted that the charges for his hospitalization amounting to P650,000.00 were all covered by PhilHealth. “Ang gasto ko sa pagpa x-ray, ultrasound, ECG, 2D Echo kag ang akon open heart surgery ginbayran tanan sang PhilHealth,” (The costs for my x-ray, ultrasound, ECG, 2D Echo and my open heart surgery were all paid by PhilHealth), Mata said.
PhilHealth’s Z-benefit Package has fundamentally transformed the lives of many Filipinos burdened by catastrophic illnesses. It provides financial assistance for catastrophic illnesses like cancer, kidney disease, and certain heart conditions. It covers room and board, drugs, laboratory exams, operating room fees, and professional fees for the entire treatment course.
“These are real people talking about PhilHealth’s programs. PhilHealth programs indeed work,” said PhilHealth Acting Regional Vice President for Western Visayas, Lazaro T. Tabsing. PhilHealth’s Z-benefit is a channel of blessing for transforming the lives of these patients, giving life-saving care without catastrophic cost. PhilHealth fought these battles with them. Now, Arcillas and Mata remain hopeful and have a chance to reclaim a future that was once lost.
Meanwhile, Tabsing said that members are fortunate as these packages are now available in Western Visayas. “Our constituents need not travel to specialty hospitals in Metro Manila to access these life-saving treatments, ensuring timely care without unnecessary delays,” he added.
In Iloilo City, Western Visayas Medical Center (WVMC) treats acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL); breast, cervical, prostate, colon and rectum cancers; coronary artery bypass graft (CABG); tetralogy of fallot; ventricular septal defect; selected orthopedic implants; pre-mature and small newborn and children with hearing impairment. St. Paul’s Hospital is a contracted facility for kidney transplantation and peritoneal dialysis (PD First). M-3 Dialysis Center, Inc. is also a contracted facility for PD First.
In Bacolod City, Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMRH) treats ALL, kidney transplant, cancer for breast and prostate, selected orthopedic implant and pre-mature and small newborn. (PRO 6-Public Affairs Unit)
