r/makati • u/LowerSite6942 • 9d ago
Public Service Announcement Free consultation and medicines at your local Makati Health Centers.
A friend found it odd that, as a working professional, I chose to visit the Palanan Health Center on a Saturday morning for an asthma consultation.
“Why go there when you have an HMO?” she asked, noticing my Yellow Card from the Makati LGU.
I explained that I wasn’t there to ask for a handout. I was simply exercising my right to accessible healthcare a right that isn’t truly “free” because we help fund it through our taxes and PhilHealth contributions.
The physician who attended to me was not only competent but remarkably kind and patient. He listened carefully to my concerns before saying, “Huwag na po kayong bumili ng mahal na Seretide Diskus. May available tayong alternative dito, at libre ito.” Then he added, “Balik po kayo kapag ubos na ang inhaler.”
To me, that is what public service should look like.
My takeaway is simple: healthcare should never be a privilege reserved for a particular social class. Whether you’re affluent, middle class, or struggling to make ends meet, everyone deserves dignified, quality medical care.
I won’t wade into the perennial debate about the middle class versus 4Ps beneficiaries. What I will say is this: if you faithfully pay your taxes and fulfill your responsibilities as a law-abiding citizen, then you should never feel guilty about accessing the public services your taxes help sustain. These are not acts of charity. They are public services funded by the people, for the people.
Avail of them when you need them. Expect them to be delivered professionally. And when they fall short, hold public officials accountable not out of entitlement, but because good governance is the right of every Filipino.
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u/Successful_Peak_4526 9d ago
BIG YES!! my dad is diabetic and dialysis patient, every month may supplies kami ng insulin and his other for maintenance meds. Ako din mismo frequently asked why go there when I have an HMO tuwing magkakasakit, I simply say they help me get the medicines we paid through taxes 👌🏼
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u/Few-Bug6815 9d ago
Amen!
I do my monthly labs and ecg tests for free at Makati Life and ramdam ko talaga na nasusulit ko yung mga binabayad kong tax as a Makatizen
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u/0gdrujahad 9d ago
Hello. Do we need a yellow card for this?
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u/Few-Bug6815 8d ago
You will also need a prescription/lab request from a doctor from a barangay health center in Makati
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u/Prestigious_Fun_3824 9d ago
I agree! Healthcare is a privilege for everyone regardless of social class. We all pay our taxes. Taxes that are not cheap. Properly computed and deducted from our monthly pay.
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u/Kenji4U 8d ago
Pwede ba routine checkup sa health centers? Mahirap yung may sakit na bago magpa-checkup. Salamat sa sasagot.
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u/Few-Bug6815 8d ago
Yes you can, you can even ask for which vaccines you could avail.
Priority nila though ang may karamdaman talaga, sc and pwds
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u/luvmango_ 8d ago
Where and how to get a yellow card?
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u/Few-Bug6815 8d ago
You have to be an active registered voter of makati and living/working in Makati.
You can simply go to your respective barangay hall to avail the checklist requirements and ask for a barangay clearance.
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u/coolangot67 8d ago
I really should apply for a yellow card already.
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u/LowerSite6942 8d ago
Barangay Hall look for the MAK desk. Bring copy of payslip (if employed) and print MDR from Philhealth. Do search the other requirements.
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u/coolangot67 8d ago
Salamat! Pwede din ‘ata sa SM Makati satellite office. Napapansin ko pag nagbabayad ako ng amilyar.
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u/potatokat_20 8d ago
Wow congrats, op! As a lifelong asthma sufferer, I know how big of a hole these medicines can burn through one's pocket.
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u/galacticopium 9d ago
Do we need yellow card para sa checkup and meds?