News
PhilHealth Has New President and CEO - September 1, 2008
ANOTHER medical doctor recently assumed the reins of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).
In simple ceremonies held in Pasig City, Dr. Rey B. Aquino formally took over the post as PhilHealth President and CEO, vice Lorna O. Fajardo, who was Acting President and CEO since 2005.
In his address to employees, Aquino said that he will continue the pursuit of universal coverage, push efforts to promote fraud detection and prevention, support premium collection initiatives and study the introduction of additional health insurance benefits for members.
He said that as three-term Mayor of San Fernando City, he already knew the importance of PhilHealth, especially where helping the poor families in his city was concerned. He appreciated the role that PhilHealth played in easing the financial burden of poor families when a member of the family is confined. "Records will show that as local chief executive, I was one of those who had the highest enrolment figures (in the Sponsored Program) during my time," he said.
At the same time, he urged LCEs and Congressmen to "earmark amounts for the LGU counterpart" in the annual premium of enrolled indigents to match the national government's counterpart funding, as well.
Aquino also called on PhilHealth employees to "think, move, aim, and dream as one team, Team PhilHealth," adding that he will also look into the possibility of pushing for the procurement of a Corporate Center in the National Capital Region and PhilHealth buildings in the regions.
In his interview over "Dear PhilHealth" on DZRH recently, Aquino, who also served as Congressman representing the third district of Pampanga, said that there is a need to "sustain the enrolment, whether or not there is a forthcoming election." He also called on listeners of the program to sign up as members, particularly the self-employed individuals. (END)