CEBU City Mayor Michael Rama signed Executive Order no. 12-15 which provides insurance coverage for pre-school children enrolled in all barangay day care centers in the city.
The life and accident insurance will extend to children in public day care centers based at school and home.
“This kind of ‘kid-surance’ is the first in the country,” said Dr. Ester Concha, head of the Dept. of Social Welfare and Services.
It covers hospitalization and medical fees for cases of accident and illness.
“There have been so many accidents involving children. Many also get hospitalized because of dengue so we saw the need for the program,”she said.
The Cebu city government will pay for the annual premium of P50 per child charged to the City Hospitalization and Medicine Program (CHAMP).
Parents of pre-schoolers have to get a certification from DSWS and the Department of Education to avail of this benefit.
Norma Franco, whose eldest child is enrolled at barangay Guadalupe’s Day Care Center, was happy to hear about the new order.
“That’s very good news because God forbid that anything happen to my children. If they get sick, it won’t be a big burden anymore. I hope this order is implemented soon,” she said.
The order is aimed at “promoting its endeavor in making the city friendly and liveable for children.”