News Archive 2003
Three PhilHealth Regional Offices Tops Medicare Para sa Masa Coverage - September 12, 2003
THREE Regional Offices of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) namely CARAGA, CAR and 4-A triumphantly reached the one hundred percent coverage of all Local Government Units in their area to commit their locality in enrolling their constituents under the Medicare Para Sa Masa program of PhilHealth.
PhilHealth’s Regional Office in Lucena where Cavite tops among the three indigent enrollments has enrolled 43,217 families under the Medicare Para Sa Masa program as of June 2003. The said enrollment was made possible through the continued support of the Provincial Government of Cavite headed by Governor Ayong Maliksi.
In the same light, PhilHealth Regional Office in Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) has also covered all the Local Government Units. Currently, the Province of Ifugao LGU has gained the highest number of families enrolled under the Medicare Para Sa Masa Program of PhilHealth.
The challenge for PhRO-CAR now lies in sustaining the gains that have been achieved so far and even surpassing the targets set by enrolling other sectors for the Individually Paying Program (IPP). It also perceives in tapping the Private Sector to sponsor families to the Program, enjoining LGUs to co-sponsor with the PCSO and continuously advocating the phase of the program to them.
Last February of 2002, PhilHealth President & CEO Dr. Francisco T. Duque III, Mayor Herman Libarnes of Cabadbaran and Governor Angelica Rosedell Amante of Agusan del Norte have signed a tripartite Memorandum of Agreement for the enrollment of Cabadbaran indigent households. The said MOA gave PhilHealth’s Regional Office in CARAGA a success in reaching the 100 % coverage of all LGUs in their region which shall give our less fortunate brothers access to quality health services.
Governor Amante clearly explained her purpose in considering PhilHealth as partner in giving health benefits to her consituents… “the Medicare Para Sa Masa is a way for our marginalized population to be able to avail of quality health services because I believe that such service is our right and a part of our basic needs. I would like to signify my commitment and concern in sharing the responsibility that would bring about the best results for the good of our indigents, one of which is to expand our recipients of our Medicare Para Sa Masa.”
PhilHealth has grown into continually reaching its mission to cover all Filipinos in giving them access to better health services.
Duque concludes...“Medicare Para Sa Masa is referred to as the heart of the National Health Insurance Program of PhilHealth, we owe our success to these LGUs who have deliberately committed themselves in enrolling these indigent families under the program. We are one with their mission in assuring that these families may have access to health services that will ensure a healthy and comfortable living.”