MANILA, July 11 — The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Department of Health (DOH) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the provision of medical assistance to PDEA personnel who will be wounded in drug enforcement operations.
Under the agreement, DOH shall allow PDEA personnel and person/s under its custody to avail of the health services of selected DOH-Retained Hospitals nationwide without payment of cash deposit, provided that he/she presents a valid PDEA ID, a Letter of Authorization (LOA) issued by the PDEA Administrative and Human Resource Service (AHRS), a duly-accomplished PHILHEALTH form upon confinement (for non-emergency cases) and within 72 hours from the date of confinement (for emergency cases).
The MOA signing was held on Monday after the regular PDEA flag-raising ceremony at PDEA National Headquarters in Quezon City.
The main signatories were PDEA Director General Isidro S Lapeña and DOH Assistant Secretary Dr. Elmer Punzalan and Dr. Alfonso Villaroman, DOH Treatment and Rehabilitation Center Program Director.
“PDEA extends its deepest appreciation to the medical assistance from admission to release, given by the DOH. The agreement is definitely a big boost to the morale and welfare of PDEA agents and personnel who are exposed to various risks while in the line of duty,” Lapeña said.
Upon discharge, the amount of Philhealth and other health insurance company benefits, if any, shall first be deducted from the hospital charges, bill and fees, payable by PDEA personnel to the DOH-Retained Hospitals.
The agreement will be valid for three years. (Christopher Lloyd T. Caliwan/PNA)
