The Department of Health on Wednesday said the only requirement for the public to avail of its Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients, or MAIP, is an evaluation by a registered social worker.

According to Dr. Albert Domingo, deputy spokesperson of the DoH, licensed social workers will evaluate the needs of the patients and their families to assess the appropriate financial assistance they will need.

The only consideration of the DoH for the distribution of medical assistance to indigent and financially incapacitated patients is their circumstances as evaluated by a licensed social worker at a hospital or health facility, Domingo told reporters in a Viber message.

He issued the clarification following the reported bribing of people and local government officials to sign a petition for a people’s initiative to amend the Constitution using government assistance programs.

Senator Imee Marcos on Tuesday said the DoH’s MAIP program is one of the government programs used in the scheme.

“I condemn the offer because our Constitution is not for sale. Apparently, they offer the DSWD’s assistance to individuals in crisis situations, DoLE’s TUPAD or Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/displaced workers, and the DoH’s medical assistance to indigent patients program,” Marcos said.

Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman earlier said members of the House of Representatives’ supermajority coalition had launched a campaign for Charter change via a people’s initiative.

He alleged that local chief executives from his province received a notice for a general meeting last 5 January from the League of Mayors of the province with an undisclosed agenda.

“During the meeting, they were informed that a people’s initiative would be used as the mode for amending the Constitution, and they were given mobilization funds and the forms to be signed by at least three percent of the registered voters of the legislative district to which their municipalities belong,” he said.

“Voters who would sign the petition for a people’s initiative will be given P100 each, 50 percent of which has already been advanced to the municipal mayors and respective coordinators,” he added.

Citing information from his sources, Lagman said the alleged movement is happening throughout the country as “congressmen belonging to various political parties have been sent the forms.”