ILOILO, PHILIPPINES— Mayor Raisa Treñas officially launched the MediSen+ Program, a city initiative that delivers free monthly maintenance medicines directly to senior citizens and persons with disabilities. The program aims to eliminate the financial burden that forces many elderly and disabled residents to skip their daily medications.
A Lifeline for Chronic Conditions
The program specifically targets the most common and costly chronic illnesses: hypertension and diabetes. Beneficiaries can now receive their maintenance prescriptions at no cost, ensuring they never have to choose between buying medicine and putting food on the table. The initiative covers both those who consult at public health centers and those seeing private doctors, as long as prescriptions are validated by the City Health Office.
This year, the program has expanded its reach from 7,000 to 9,000 beneficiaries, with plans to grow even further next year. The city government is actively working to increase both the number of recipients and the level of support available. Mayor Treñas emphasized that the goal is to leave no senior or PWD behind due to lack of access to essential drugs.
Care That Comes to Your Doorstep
For bedridden seniors and PWDs who cannot travel, the city deploys doctors and healthcare teams directly to their homes. These visits include medical assessments and delivery of the needed medications, ensuring that the most vulnerable are not forgotten. The program also continues to offer free rehabilitation services for stroke patients, providing a continuum of care that extends beyond medication.
To make enrollment as easy as possible, the city is conducting Sign-Up Caravans that go directly into barangays. Residents can also register at their local Barangay Health Station or District Health Center, where City Health Office personnel will validate prescriptions. Once registered, beneficiaries can pick up their monthly supply at any of the city’s nine District Health Centers.
A Mayor’s Personal Mission
Mayor Treñas shared that the program is deeply personal for her. She recalled accompanying her late grandmother to regular check-ups and witnessing the hardship of finding money for maintenance medicines. That experience shaped her determination to ensure no senior or PWD in Iloilo City suffers from lack of access to medicine.
“I want no senior citizen or PWD in Iloilo City to be neglected just because they lack medicine,” the mayor said. She added that the love she had for her grandmother is the same love she extends to all the city’s elderly and disabled residents. The program is driven by that commitment to compassion and respect.
Strong Partnerships for Delivery
The MediSen+ Program is a collaborative effort between the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs, led by Eleanor Drilon Gregorio, the City Health Office under Dr. Mary Ann Poli-Diaz, and the City Social Welfare and Development Office team. Their coordinated work ensures that the program runs smoothly from registration to distribution.
The initiative reflects a broader city commitment to accessible healthcare, building on existing services and expanding the safety net for the most vulnerable. By removing the cost barrier to essential medicines, Iloilo City is investing in the health and dignity of its aging population and persons with disabilities. The program stands as a model of compassionate, people-centered governance.
