MALASIQUI, Feb. 17 -- The Department of Health (DOH) in the Ilocos Region on Monday said the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) program now provides expanded financial aid to patients in Pangasinan who cannot afford medical expenses.

Vice Governor Mark Ronald Lambino, in an interview on Tuesday, said they invited the DOH to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Provincial Board) session to clarify the issuance of guarantee letters and the new processing of assistance under MAIFIP.

"They said DOH still accepts a guarantee letter (now referral letter) for the medical assistance with changes in the processing, as now DOH personnel review the documents for approval," he said.

He said the MAIFIP expands t...