Muntinlupa: Health care cards for 50,000 residents in 2015
From Katerina Francisco
MANILA, Philippines – With one tap or swipe, residents of Muntinlupa City can expect access to health insurance, free rides, and other services of the city government with the launch of the Muntinlupa Care Card (MCC).
More than a hundred people flocked to the city hall on Monday, April 27, to sign up for the program, which is open to Muntinlupa residents aged 7 and up.
“We hope that through the Muntinlupa Care Card, we can provide each and every member of the Muntinlupeño family easy and convenient access to all programs of the local government,” city mayor Jaime Fresnedi said.
With the MCC, cardholders get accident insurance coverage, subsidies of up to P25,000 at the Ospital ng Muntinlupa, and access to free services offered in the barangays. They also get to ride the city’s newly-launched e-jeepney for free.
Fresnedi also touted the program’s smart card technology, which allows users to simply tap or swipe the card for faster transactions at the city hall and the public hospital, removing the need to bring additional documents for identification.
Subsidies, accident insurance
The initial registration for the MCC began last March, with around 200 to 250 residents of the city’s 9 barangays signing up for the program.
The city government aims to have 50,000 residents signed up as cardholders by December.
According to the city government’s website, Muntinlupa’s population was projected to reach 487,000 in 2013.
The subsidy at the Ospital ng Muntinlupa was one of the biggest factors behind the interest in the card, according to Lingkod Muntinlupa Foundation executive director Grace Salvador.
Cardholders can get 25% to 75% subsidy at the city hospital, depending on the cardholder’s income bracket. The maximum subsidy amount is P25,000.
“The people in the barangays were excited to get the card because of the hospital subsidy. It makes it easier for them to get access to hospital services, because we have a dedicated express lane fitted with a card reader for MCC members,” Salvador said.
The card also provides P10,000 worth of insurance for accidental death, motorcycle accidents, and permanent disability.
Aside from these, the MCC’s smart card technology speeds up access to the city’s other services and programs.
Cardholders won’t need to bring additional documents when availing themselves of free barangay services under the Kalingang Munti program, such as dental services, haircuts, and assistance on registration for government services.
E-jeep rides
MCC cardholders also get free rides on the city’s latest environment-friendly transport initiative: the e-jeepney.
Launched last Tuesday, the e-jeep runs on lithium ion batteries and can run up to 40 km/h. Each of the city’s 4 e-jeepneys can seat up to 15 passengers.
To ride for free, passengers simply tap their cards on the reader as they enter the vehicle.
Currently, the e-jeep operates only in the Alabang area, with stops at Starmall and Festival Mall.
The city government is also looking into adding more vehicles and expanding the route of the e-jeeps.
Future plans
The care card program is on its first phase of implementation, but residents can soon expect more benefits.
“We’re in talks to partner with private institutions to provide healthcare assistance and access to entertainment facilities, among others,” Salvador said.
Registration for the MCC is ongoing and will continue until the end of the year.
Residents can sign up for the card by filling up a registration form and presenting a valid ID at registration booths in the city hall and in their barangays.
Registration fee costs P60 for senior citizens, P80 for applicants aged 18 to 59, and P75 for minors aged 7 to 17.
The MCC is good for one year, and may be renewed for a P20 fee. – Rappler.com
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