MINDANAO DAILY TRUTH | JUSTICE | PROGRESS
Volume XI, No. 096
www.mindanaodailynews.com
Mon-Tue, December 27-28, 2021
P15.00
Patients in Caraga decry Philhealth suspension of BDH B
UTUAN CITY—Patients in many parts of Caraga region decry the state-run health insurer Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth) for suspending the accreditation of Butuan Doctors Hospital and College (BDHC) saying they are already deprived of utmost medical care of the modern health facility.
The complaining patients, who asked not to be named, contested the allegations of PhilHealth since they were actually treated and admitted, given proper medical attention and care. “Why is Philhealth depriving the people to use their right for Philhealth coverage with Butuan Doctors Hospital despite the fact that they are doing an excellent job, the patients asked?” “What happens to people who need the expertise of Butuan Doctors Hospital but can’t claim the Philhealth portion? How can Butuan Sen. Migz Zubiri visited CDO to distribute 200 sacks of rice and 400 tents for families affected by Odette in Cagayan Doctors Hospital provide healthcare for the underde Oro, with Mayor Oscar Moreno on Thursday. photo by gerry lee gorit
privileged people that needs Philhealth coverage?” they added in a joint statement. The suspension has allegedly cited a consolidated case of 29 counts of claims for non-admitted or nontreated patients and breach of warranties and accreditation. Philhealth also mentioned performance commitment under sections 151 and 160 of the 2013 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act (RA) 7875, which enacted the Philhealth program as amended by RA 9241 and RA 10606. The amended RA 9241 already provides universal See DECRY, page 11
MisOcc town mayor wounded in pre-Christmas shooting dies By FROILAN GALLARDO, MindaNews
The port of Del Carmen municipality in Siargao Island photographed on Wednesday (22 December 2021), showing a few boats out of water, apparently blown by the winds and waves of “Odette.” photo courtesy of janos andanar of surigao photo club
A blue Christmas in Siargao but spirit of volunteerism prevails By ROEL CATOTO, MindaNews
GENERAL LUNA, Siargao Island – It was a blue Christmas for islanders still reeling from the devastation wrought by super typhoon ‘Odette’ but some spent it in a most meaningful way by volunteering to help fellow survivors. Businessman Jiji Ortiz,
owner of Haole restaurant, suffered depression after ‘Odette’ made its landfall in here on Thursday, December 16. It did not help that his son Gino, along with his girlfriend, left Siargao for Manila on December 20 to seek the help of relatives
and friends. He said he “felt said living in a roofless house,” their business shut down, their workers rendered jobless with no other means to survive. But Jiji did not want to wallow in depression. He volunteered as a driver to help Next Gen For Odette, a See SIARGAO, page 11
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Mayor Michael Gutierrez, of the municipality of Lopez Jaena in Misamis Occidental, died Monday in Manila where he was brought after sustaining a gunshot wound fired by a suspected sniper during a party before Christmas. Gutierrez’s daughter, municipal board member Andrea “Pinky” Gutierrez, confirmed her father’s passing in a Facebook post. “You will always be special to me, and no matter where life takes me, I’ll remember you with love,” Andrea wrote. “You will be always be our vice governor, Pa. Rest in Peace, I love you very much,” she added. Gutierrez was airlifted to Manila on Dec. 24 after a medical operation at the Mayor Hilarion A. Ramiro Sr. Medical Center in Ozamiz City. His family earlier posted that Gutierrez sustained a
Mayor Michael Gutierrez addressing his constituents. photo from mayor gutierrez ’ s facebook page
gunshot wound in the “left side of the brain” that also “affected the right side of the brain.” Gutierrez never regained consciousness, his family said. He and members of the PDP-Laban and Asenso Ozamiz were having a Christmas party at the Working Coffee Building at a gas station in Sitio Pulao, Barangay VII in Tangub on Dec. 22 when the alleged sniper fired towards them.
Police investigator Deony Dale Alviar said a lone gunshot was heard while Gutierrez, Rep. Henry Oaminal (2nd district, Misamis Occidental), and former Oroquieta City Mayor Jason Almonte were enjoying the party. Oaminal and Almonte sustained minor injuries and were treated in hospitals in Ozamiz City. Supporters sent outpourings of sympathy to See SHOOTING, page 11