BY: VALERIE ANN DISMAYA

More than a million residents in Pangasinan have benefited from the PhilHealth Konsulta program, made more accessible through the provincial government’s Guiconsulta initiative.

The PhilHealth Konsulta program is a national effort that provides free primary care services including consultations, health screenings, basic lab tests, and selected medicines.

Each enrolled member is entitled to services worth 1,700 pesos but not in cash, but through accredited health facilities.

In addition, under Pangasinan’s Guiconsulta program, beneficiaries receive a 300 pesos cash incentive.

This is based on Provincial Ordinance No. 330, Series of 2024, which formally established Guiconsulta to ensure residents can access basic medical services.

Dennis Adre, Regional Vice President of PhilHealth Region I, clarified:

“The 300 pesos being used in the GuiConsulta program actually comes from the province’s own funds. It’s not from PhilHealth,” he said in a brief interview.

Pangasinan Governor Ramon V. Guico III emphasized the importance of the program’s sustainability.

“Pangasinan is a pioneer of this program. It moved forward faster because we have a complementing initiative through Guiconsulta. It’s the provincial program that will help sustain free hospitalization in our hospitals,” Guico said.

Through this collaboration between PhilHealth and the province, more residents, especially those in far-flung areas, now have better access to basic healthcare.

With the continued rollout of PhilHealth Konsulta and Guiconsulta, local officials hope even more Pangasinenses can avail of these services at government hospitals.