HELPING HAND Officials of Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center (CGHMC), Philippine- Chinese Charitable Association Inc., and various media organizations sign on Dec. 9 the memorandum of agreement on the extension of discounts to print and broadcast media workers who will avail themselves of CGHMC services. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Print and broadcast media workers from legitimate news organizations are now entitled to discounted rates on outpatient medical services and hospitalization at Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center (CGHMC).
The Philippine-Chinese Charitable Association Inc., the owner and operator of the Manila-based hospital, signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) on Monday with media companies for the provision of medical benefits for media practitioners.
The agreement covers employees of English or Filipino-language media outfits with at least five years of service. They may avail themselves of the discounts for hospital admission and outpatient services, such as laboratory procedures and X-ray, at CGHMC.
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They only need to present their company-issued ID or certification to show proof of employment.
Among the hospital charges not covered by the discounted rates are those for blood-related procedures, professional and handling fees, as well as medicines. The special rates are valid until Dec. 9, 2025, unless extended by the parties.
‘Very important’ sector
“The Chinese General Hospital is always at the forefront of helping people. So why not the media people? These people are very important in the dissemination of information in the country,” Dr. Samuel Ang, CGHMC medical director, said during the MOA signing.
“In small ways, we can help the media people in mitigating expenses in the hospital,” he said.
Philippine Daily Inquirer President and CEO, lawyer Rudyard Arbolado, expressed gratitude to the two institutions on behalf of the media companies covered by the agreement.
Aside from the Inquirer, the other news organizations in the MOA signing were the Philippine Star, Manila Bulletin, BusinessWorld, Malaya Business Insight, Daily Tribune, ABS-CBN, Alagang Kapatid TV5, Philippine News Agency, Manila Times, National Press Club and United Print Media Group.