Makati: Yellow cards of residents from EMBO barangays no longer valid

Residents of the 10 barangays transferred from Makati City to Taguig City are no longer allowed to use their yellow cards which previously provided them government-subsidized health care, the Makati City government said.

Due to this, some residents expressed their dismay for losing the health benefits that they were receiving before from the Makati City local government, based on an Unang Balita report of Bam Alegre on Tuesday.

Among them was Jessie Aguelo from Barangay West Rembo, who said they were already used to receiving discounts whenever they seek healthcare. He wondered if Taguig City will be replacing the yellow card.

“Halimbawa magkasakit ang anak ko, tapos siyempre ang laking kabawasan kung may yellow card ka eh. ‘Yan talaga ang ano eh kapag nagkasakit, dalhin mo sa OsMak (Ospital ng Makati),” he said.

(If my child gets sick, we get discounts by presenting the yellow card. When we’re sick, we just go to the Ospital ng Makati.)

“Nadismaya kasi siyempre sanay na sa gano'n eh, medyo maka-discount sa yellow card eh.”

(I was disappointed because of course, we’re already used to that. We get a discount using the yellow card.)

The City Government of Makati announced Monday that pursuant to the decision of the Supreme Court, yellow cards addressed in the 10 EMBO barangays will no longer be valid starting January 1, 2024, unless they are employees of the Makati City Government.

Makati said the licenses to operate of the health centers and lying-in in the EMBO (Enlisted Men's Barrio) barangays have also expired, thus the need to be closed as well.

Previously, yellow card patients at the Ospital ng Makati with a total hospital bill amounting to P5,000 or less were not charged.

Those with hospital bills exceeding P5,000, meanwhile, were only charged a uniform rate of P500, even if the amount reached six or seven digits.

Cardholders were also given access to free medicines, including maintenance medicines for hypertension, diabetes, and other diseases.

Reynaldo Agaser said that the invalidity of the yellow cards starting 2024 would be a great loss for residents of the EMBO barangays.

“Malaking kawalan talaga ng ano para sa amin dahil importante sana ‘yun… Libre tayo sa lahat ng mga hospital, puwede pa ring gamitin ‘yun eh,” he said.

(It's really a big loss for us because that is important. We were free from charge in hospitals.)

Eugenio Dumondoon, another resident, also hoped that Taguig City will also offer them the same benefits. —Giselle Ombay/KG, GMA Integrated News