January 24, 2008 · Posted in: Health Issues, i Report Features
An alternative safety net
PINOYS are notorious for living as if there were no tomorrow, but then if one’s stash of cash is barely enough to last the whole day, is that really surprising? After all, this is a country where millions of families subsist on a pack of instant noodles for lunch, which sometimes becomes their only meal for the day. This also helps explain why Filipinos are considered “underinsured.” The Philippine Insurance Report was even prompted to comment recently, “The Insurance Commission has indicated that it would like the number of people who actually use insurance to increase from 13 percent of the population to 20 percent in the next year or so. We would be amazed if this objective is achieved.”
Of course there are the Social Security System (SSS) and its equivalent for government workers, as well as the coverage provided by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation. But we all know these can only go so far, and the lack of additional personal insurance has left many people literally on the brink of death.
Still, as the latest piece in i Report’s Mad Over Money series reveals, Filipinos do have another kind of safety net that they can rely on in times of need: the one made up of family and friends. As PCIJ occasional contributor Rorie Fajardo writes, “in this country, no one really gets sick alone.”
Read on at pcij.org how she and her family were able to hurdle major medical emergencies with little money to their name.
2 Responses to An alternative safety net
Francis G. David
January 25th, 2008 at 10:03 am
G’day Rorie.
As I read your story I lovingly held my mouse key so it doesn’t scroll uncontrollably as I don’t want to miss the details of your family story. I felt so emotionally charged as I read over the second frame of the story where you explained your Papa’s predicament and how the miracles unfolded – medically, financially and spiritually.
Tears welled up in my eyes when you mentioned in the third to the last paragraph about “never stopped believing in the capacity to do good…”
I cried unashamedly reading towards the end when you mentioned about the Power greater than us – never running out of faith.
Thank you so much for such a wonderful, informative and very refreshing story. I extend my deepest admiration to you and your family – the trials and tribulations that you experienced and the beautiful country you live in.
In Australia, where we’ve been living for the last 30 years after migrating from our country, Philippines, some people die in their own homes without neighbours knowing about them. How in this prosperous and thriving society with its codes of mateship, strong social traditions, can an Australian citizen die a lonely death without anyone noticing is just beyond me. I often wondered if material possession can bring happiness to an individual. Filipinos in the Philippines or overseas are well-known for their generosity and hospitality all over the world and in times of need stick to each other.
Your experience and the experience of other people I’ve met with similar but different predicaments made me conclude that the Philippines and the Filipinos are the nicest people on earth – and I never stopped believing in the Power greater than me.
More than anything else, I think you and your family is not only fortunate but blessed and I wish you all the best in the future especially to your new addition in the family – Raphael.
Francis G. David – Sydney, Australia
rorie fajardo
February 1st, 2008 at 11:09 pm
Hi Francis! Thank you for your sincere feedback. I myself am still amazed on how we manage to survive without much financial security. But I know our case is not unique; I am sure there are a lot more Filipino families out there, some even in worse situations, who are winning over their hardships. Filipinos are resilient, they say. Strong family ties in times like these also matter. I am sure you and your family still possess these values despite living there for a long time. Thank you and more power to you!