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ALBAY
Organized: 1997
Operates: Three clinical laboratories

Dr. Emma Rebato reported that the MMGHHSCP Albay celebrated its second anniversary this year.  The chapter plans to acquire an immune assay machine soon.  It will also launch the CHP soon.
 

BATANGAS
Dr. Merle Alonzo reported that MMG Batangas, which is composed of members from 12 government hospitals, registered a surplus of at least P720,000 in 1998.  It has a lending operation now with P800,000 in assets.  The chapter is lending money to its members at one percent interest per month for 10 months.

In January 2000, the Provincial Government will launch the Indigency Medical Assistance Project through the Department of Social Welfare and Development, with MMG Batangas as conduit for the funds.
 

BISLIG, SURIGAO DEL SUR
Operates: A 150-bed tertiary hospital formerly owned by PICOP Resources Inc.

Dr. Diony de Castro reported that the chapter posted an outstanding financial surplus after a year’s operation.  The hospital’s accounting, billing and inventory sectors are computerized. The chapter is moving toward full computerization and has obliged all members to enrol in computer courses, subsidized by the chapter.
 

CAMILING, TARLAC
Organized: 1994

The Camiling chapter is five years old and is composed of employees of the government district hospital.  Dr. Roque asked about potential problems in the integration of the government health system into the cooperative health concept.
 

CEBU CITY
Organized: 1994
Address: Corner Don Gil Garcia and Escario Sts., Capitol Site, Cebu City
Tel. Nos. (032) 255-0762, 254-1757
Operates: A diagnostic clinic and CHP
Board chair: Dr. Samuel Albano
Chief Executive Officer: Dr. Romulo Tan

Dr. Tan reported that the number of CHP enrollees in MMGHHSCP Cebu has not increased in number. But efforts are being undertaken to remedy this.  In fact, Dr. Chito Ybañez, CHP chief operating officer, was unable to attend the national assembly because he had a meeting with potential CHP enrollees.
 

CONCEPCION, TARLAC
Operates: Pharmacy and laboratory

Dr. Ludwig Santos reported that the chapter’s active members are also employees and doctors of the district hospital in Camiling. The coop pharmacy and laboratory that provide reasonably priced services supplement the shortfall of services in the government hospital. The chapter has acquired a one-hectare lot for its hospital that will be designed like the MMG Tagum “hospitel.”

COTABATO CITY, MAGUINDANAO
Dr. Eduardo de la Fuente reported that Maguindanao province is interested in reviving the herbal processing and tabletting plant after the recent rash of newspaper reports on the astronomical prices of patent drugs in the Philippines.

MMG Cotabato City/Maguindanao Chapter has been in the forefront of these activities, and negotiations are now under way.   Government and private efforts are also being undertaken to put up a tertiary care hospital in the province. The chapter is being tapped for the management of this hospital.

Dr. de la Fuente requested the assistance of other chapters to provide them with specialists and sub-specialists for the projected hospital. He noted the difficulty in attracting these doctors to Cotabato City considering the negative peace and order image projected in the Manila newspapers.

(The national CEO assured the MMG Cotabato City Chapter that the Filipino doctors in the United States are interested in spending some time in areas like Cotabato to train local doctors and render specialty services to the local community if their security can be assured by authorities in the area. The national CEO, who had just come back from a six-week swing across the U.S., also informed the assembly that Filipino-American doctors are now reconsidering their surgical missions in the Philippines in favor of this set up suggested by the national MMGHHSCP. Dr. de la Fuente and Dr. Abas Candao said the security of these doctors is assured from both sides of the conflict.)
 

DAVAO CITY
Address: Leon Garcia St., Agdao, Davao City
Tel. Nos. (082) 2210328
Operates: A tertiary hospital (the first cooperatively-owned hospital in Philippine history) and CHP
Chief Executive Officer: Dr. Laureano S. Agbisit Jr.

Dr. Agbisit reported that the bulk of the patients in the MMG hospital in Davao City are CHP enrollees.  MMG Davao City has 75 companies under the CHP, with 34,271 enrollees.

The construction of the MMG Towers, a high-rise hospital and condominium complex which should have started in late 1997 but was delayed due to the Asian financial crisis, will hopefully start next year because the loan for the project has been approved.
 

DUMAGUETE CITY, NEGROS ORIENTAL
Organized: March 6, 1997
Operates: Two pharmacies — in Dumaguete and Bais cities
Members: 288 (78 doctors)

Dr. Oscar Martinez reported that the chapter will set up a diagnostic center in front of the Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital in January 2000, along with the CHP launching. The chapter intends to set up a drug testing laboratory for the province by February 2000.

Dr. Noel de Jesus, also a councilor of Dumaguete City, has been tasked to coordinate with the Philippine Councilors League to explore the possibility of a CHP-type of coverage for PCL members. The chapter is also negotiating with the Philippine Tuberculosis Society to convert the now unused TB Pavilion into a fully functioning cooperative hospital.
 

GENERAL SANTOS, SOUTH COTABATO
Operates: A secondary care hospital

Dr. Renato Diagan Jr. reported that MMG General Santos / South Cotabato’s secondary care hospital is currently being renovated. The chapter has begun marketing the CHP to teachers, government employees and policemen.
 

ILIGAN CITY, LANAO DEL NORTE
Organized: 1992

Dr. Emma Macaraya reported that while the chapter suffered serious financial setbacks (it used to operate a hospital), it is now in its reorganizational stage and has embarked on a wholesale operation of Medicine’ Trading products. So far, the chapter has been able to pay its past obligations and new members are beginning to come in.  It is now ready to move into CHP operations.

ILOILO CITY
Address: 55 Delgado St.., Iloilo City
Operates: Pharmacy, clinics and laboratory

Dr. Socky Pangantihon reported that the chapter has a new set of Board of Directors. Policies and guidelines for membership have been reviewed. The BOD and management staff were given refresher courses in membership, strategic development and active planning last July 25.

The chapter also inaugurated its pharmacy, clinics and laboratory last November 6. One week later, the chapter launched its MMG Privilege Card.  The chapter intends to launch CHP early next year.
 

KALIBO, AKLAN
Operates: Outpatient diagnostic clinic and pharmacy and CHP

Dr. Arthur Salido reported that MMG Aklan’s clinic and pharmacy are self-liquidating. The chapter plans to acquire an X-ray machine early next year. MMG Kalibo launched the CHP at P150 per month per member. They have had a good response.
 

LOS BAÑOS, LAGUNA
Organized: 1999
Members:  44 regular, 230 preferred shareholders

Dr. Ariel Ang reported that Mayor Lapis of Los Baños is very supportive of the health coop concept and even envisions it as one of his flagship projects. The local government unit has set aside a two-hectare prime land to be perpetually leased to the MMG at one peso a year. The town’s ambulances will also be turned over to the MMG chapter.

The local government is now undertaking the renovation of a school building to convert it into a tertiary care hospital under the MMGHHSCP by January 2000.  MMG Los Baños is also expecting PhP 2 million from the Countrywide Development Fund of the congressman in the area.

The first general assembly of the chapter was held last November 29.
 

LUCENA, QUEZON
Address: Ibabang Dupay, Red-V, Lucena City
Tel. Nos.: (042) 373-5925, 373-5926, 373-6159
Fax: (042) 373-5650
Operates: 2 hospitals, 3 diagnostic centers
Members: 230
Board chair: Dr. Nilo Jara
Chief Executive Officer: Dr. Pepito Briones Hao

Dr. Nilo Jara reported that MMG Lucena is buying the hospital it is currently operating for PhP 22 million.  The hospital is a tertiary care hospital and is completely departmentalized.

METRO MANILA EAST
Operates: Secondary care hospital

Dr. Tito Garcia reported the opening of the chapter’s secondary care hospital along Ortigas Avenue in Pasig on December 8.

METRO MANILA NORTH-WEST
Dr. Chee Garcia reported that while the chapter initially planned to start out activities with its version of the CHP (HMO model with accreditation of at least five Metro Manila tertiary hospitals), it found the CHP much more complex than it had imagined.  It would need careful and extensive planning, especially in the computation of premiums.

This was also capital-intensive and, as the chapter’s resources are limited, it decided to go into capital build-up first.  This is to be achieved by going into drug distribution.  A joint venture with a cooperative within a government hospital is being negotiated.  Projected launch is the first quarter of year 2000.  It is planned that a cooperative pharmacy for non-priority drugs be put up within the hospital’s premises.  Aside from drugs, consumer goods will also be sold in this pharmacy.

The chapter is also actively helping Medicine Trading Inc. look for cheaper (but quality) sources of drugs since almost all drug suppliers are in Metro Manila.  Because of the Department of Health’s initiative to step up implementation of the Generics Act, generic drugs will be promoted in the chapter’s drug distribution activities.  She also informed the group that physicians and patients would not be able to claim reimbursement from PhilHealth if generic drugs were not prescribed.

As a second business activity of the chapter, a family-owned private hospital in Manila with 100 beds (but could accommodate up to 160 patients) is being offered to the chapter for it to manage under the cooperative concept.  This is a tertiary hospital with an ICU, rehab medical facilities and an accredited family medicine residency program.  Projected timeframe for management of this hospital will be in the third to fourth quarter of next year.  The MMG-Tagum, MMG-Bohol, and MMG-Davao cooperative hospitals will be used as models.
 

METRO MANILA SOUTH
Dr. Eduardo del Rosario reported that some concerns were voiced out about the marketing strategy of Medicine’ Trading Inc.  He emphasized on relevance to the community, especially in terms of the cost of drugs.  Medicine’ Trading’s financial position and strategy be should shared with all the other chapters. He envisioned the drug distribution activities to serve as a unifying tool for all chapters.

Now that all previous involvement with other drug companies are over, the chapter is ready to go full blast into Medicine’ Trading activities. The chapter is also eager to go into CHP.  It needs on-the-job training for personnel soon.
 

MIAG-AO, ILOILO
MMG Miagao was organized on July 14, 1994 but was accredited by the Cooperative Development Authority only on January 7, 1998.  The chapter has produced its own prospectus that is worth emulating.  The MMG Federation’s Chapter Development Office immediately proposed to have each chapter come up with a similar prospectus.

MMG Miag-ao also proposed that it be included in the Memorandum of Agreement with the Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration (OWWA) which at present covers only the Iloilo City area. The chapter maintains that a large part of the population of Miag-ao have relatives who are overseas workers.
 

NASIPIT, AGUSAN DEL NORTE
Dr. Mercedes Atupan reported that the MMG Nasipit is at present consolidating its resources and hopes to launch the CHP soon.
 

NAGA, CAMARINES SUR
Organized: August 20, 1999
Operates: One diagnostic center
Members: 80 doctors

Headed by Dr. Nancy Velayo, Naga is the youngest member of the federation. The chapter was registered last August 20 with a membership of 51 doctors. Present membership now stands at 80 doctors. Only three are general practitioners while the rest are residents and consultants of both the Bicol Medical Center and other private hospitals in Naga.  The chapter has its official publication called the “MMG Insider”.  The chapter opened its first diagnostic center on November 28, 1999.
 

PAGADIAN CITY, ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR
The chapter has been operating the Atilano hospital in Pagadian. While it has been earning a respectable surplus from its operations, the hospital is being foreclosed by the bank due to the unsettled accounts of the owners.

The chapter is now looking for a new venue for its operations.
 

ROXAS, CAPIZ
Organized: 1997
Operates: A diagnostic clinic
Members: 42 doctors

Dr. Rosemarie Conlu reported that, after two years of operations, MMG Roxas now has total assets of PhP 2.67 million and only PhP 250,000 worth of liabilities. MMG Roxas is one of the biggest utilizers of Medicine’ products. It has launched its CHP and is scouting for a bigger lot so it could construct its own building.
 

SAN JOAQUIN, ILOILO
Dr. Marchette Savillo reported that MMG San Joaquin is working for a loan with FSSI or the Foundation for Sustainable Systems International. The chapter is coordinating with MMG Miag-ao and MMG Iloilo. The chapter will launch CHP soon. The chapter also wants to be included in the MOA with the OWWA.
 

SOLANO, NUEVA VIZCAYA
MMG Solano is the only chapter in the northeast area of Luzon. Solano is also strategically situated at the entrance of the rich Cagayan Valley. Dr. Antonio Padre reported the chapter serves not only Nueva Vizcaya but also Cagayan Province, Isabela, Aurora and Quirino Provinces.

The coop hospital has CAT scanners and ultrasound. The chapter will set up the CHP for the entire northeastern sector of Luzon soon.
 

SORSOGON, SORSOGON
Operates: An 18-bed secondary hospital
Dr. Larry Garrido reported that the chapter launched its CHP last September.  The chapter is purchasing a bigger lot to build a tertiary hospital in the area.
 

TACLOBAN CITY
Organized: July 1994
Operates: Diagnostic laboratory and CHP
Members: 500

Dr. Cabalona reported that the chapter has been operating Phases I and II - Diagnostic Laboratory, X-ray, ultrasound and EKG - and is now embarking on Phase III, the setting up of a pharmacy and the CHP.  The latter was launched in October 1999 and had 100 enrollees as of November.

MMG Tacloban has assets worth PhP 4 million and no liabilities.  In July 1998, the Tacloban City Government leased 1,000 square meters of land at the Capitol site to MMG Tacloban at PhP 3 a year for 25 years. The chapter plans to set up a hospital in the area.

Dr. Cabalona brought with him the blueprint for the proposed MMG Tacloban hospital, patterned after MMG Tagum’s “hospitel.”  He also proposed a uniform building facade for all MMGHHSCP hospitals, for easier recognition, citing as example the McDonald’s burger houses.
 

TAGBILARAN, BOHOL
Organized: 1994
Address: (Bohol Cooperative Hospital) Airport Road, Tagbilaran City
Tel. No.: 411-3012
Fax: 411-5040
Operates: 37-bed MMG Bohol Cooperative Hospital leased from the City Government for PhP 20,000 a month

Dr. Virginia Lao reported that the Bohol government has offered a 2.6-hectare lot as an investment of Bohol Province to MMG Bohol chapter. The governor, during a recent Balikbayan investment forum, spoke about how convinced he is with cooperative health. The governor said the communist movement has been active lately in the province and has been threatening government district hospitals for their inadequate health care delivery.  The government is therefore looking again at the possibility of converting into cooperatives the other government hospitals in the province.

Dr. Lao said the chapter was sending some of its members to Iligan City to learn from MMG Iligan’s successful venture into distributing the products of Medicine’.

Dr. Lao also recommended to all chapters to emphasize education and human resource development programs to avoid conflict with their management staff.
 

TAGUM CITY, DAVAO DEL NORTE
Address: MMG Avenue, Tagum City
Operates: A hospital, coop canteen, coop roofing
Chief Executive Officer: Dr. Gerardo Racho

The Tagum City experience was graphically illustrated in a well-made video presentation.  The rise of MMG Tagum City from a ramshackle rented hospital to the present model “Hospitel” (hospital with hotel facilities) was traced.

The City Council is renaming the street leading to the “hospitel” as MMG Avenue.
 

TARLAC, TARLAC
Dr. Ricardo Ramos reported that the chapter’s membership is made up of employees of the Tarlac Provincial Hospital. The chapter now has 42 public health workers as active members. The chapter is organizing the province’s estimated 2,000 barangay health workers to integrate them into the health cooperative.  Public health committees are also being organized.
 

ZAMBOANGA CITY
Organized: April 1999
Members: 131 doctors
Board chair: Dr. Ireneo Caces
Chief Executive Officer: Jeffrey Panela

MMG Zamboanga City has employed Mr. Jeffrey Panela, a management expert, as full-time CEO.  The idea of the health cooperative was brought up in 1997 in a meeting of the Zamboanga Medical Society. The organizers set up the constitution and by-laws and conducted recruitment in 1998 and the chapter began operations in April 1999 with 131 doctors, representing 57 percent of the total number of doctors in the city.

The chapter is venturing into a coop pharmacy and the CHP.  Viability studies for these projects are being finalized.*
 
 

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