The City Government of Davao has allocated P600 million for the Lingap para sa Mahirap Program this year, a significant increase from the P400 million budget in 2024.
Ytalia Bohol, Officer-In-Charge of the Lingap Program, during the I-Speak Media forum on Thursday said that the city increased its funding to accommodate the growing number of clients that the program serves.
In 2024, a total of 188,472 people were served by the Lingap Program. The Lingap Main Office and its satellite offices served an average of 700 to 800 clients a day.
Bohol said most of those who come to Lingap seek help with their medications.
“Mao ni sila ang pinakadaghan nga ginahatagan og assistance kay tungod daghan ta og pasyente sa Animal Bite, katong mga nahutdan na sa City Health Office (CHO) og vaccine so nagapa-lingap na na sila kay naa man pod ta’y mga credited nga mga botika (We have many patients from the Animal Bite Treatment Center, those patients who were not able to anti-rabies shots from the City Health Office (CHO), so they go to Lingap for assistance since we also have accredited pharmacies),” she said.
The Lingap para sa Mahirap Program is one of the flagship programs of the city government that aims to provide assistance to underprivileged Dabawenyos with their funeral costs, medical bills, and medications.
Lingap also offers assistance for laboratory procedures and dialysis expenses.
Bohol said they also prioritize cancer patients.
“Monthly sila makapangayo og assistance sa amoa sa ilahang chemotherapy ug sa ilahang medicines (They can ask for assistance every month for their chemotherapy and other medications),” she said.
She also said they serve both public and private hospitals. A total 42 private hospitals in Davao City hold Lingap Program accreditation. The program also granted accreditation to three pharmacies: Kalingap Pharmacy, New Botica Concept, and Murang Gamot.
“We are very thankful din sa private partners tungod kay willing sila mudawat og assistance from Lingap so makatabang gyud mi sa mga pasyente (We are also grateful to the private partners for their willingness to accept Lingap’s aid so that we may truly assist the patients),” she said.
Clients who want help with medical bills need to bring the original final bill, the medical certificate, and the barangay certification. For patients at the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC), Lingap only requires the bill and a valid I.D.
The original funeral bill, a certified accurate copy of the death certificate, and a barangay certificate are necessary for funeral aid.
A valid ID and a prescription from the SPMC or City Health Office are required for medications. The medications, however, would depend upon the availability in accredited pharmacies.
Original copies of the price quotation from the hospital where the treatment or dialysis will be performed, as well as a medical certificate and a barangay certificate, are required for dialysis and laboratory procedures.
Bohol explained that burial is not included in funeral assistance. It only covers assistance for caskets, wake venue, and embalming.
Lingap has satellite offices in Calinan, Marilog, Toril, Bunawan, Paquibato, and Almendras Gymnasium compound.
For clarifications and inquiries, Dabawenyos may send a message to Lingap para sa Mahirap’s official Facebook Page or send a direct message through the numbers 0966-860-1552, 0945-399-3775, and 0962-335-6853 for the main office; 0907-558-3581 for the Bunawan Satellite Office; 0992-332-2079 for Calinan Satellite Office; 0994-802-1340 for Marilog Satellite Office; 0909-960-9336 for the Paquibato Satellite Office; 0991-696-8856 for the Poblacion Satellite Office; and 0967-195-5176 for the Toril Satellite Office. CIO
