News
PhilHealth Opens Rizal Service Office - November 24, 2008
TO better serve its clientele from the eastern side of Metro Manila, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) recently opened its Rizal Service Office, the latest addition to its growing network of service offices in the country.
The Rizal Service Office is located at 'The Brick Road', a cluster of old American style houses within the Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall in Cainta, Rizal. The mall complex is bounded by Marcos Highway and Felix Avenue, making it literally right at the heart of a bustling business center.
Present during the opening ceremonies were PhilHealth officers led by President and CEO Dr. Rey B. Aquino; Senior Vice Presidents Octavino Q. Esguerra, Melinda C. Mercado and Ernesto V. Beltran; First Vice President Tito M. Mendiola, Vice President Rodolfo M. Balog and Department Managers led by Lolita V. Tuliao of NCR Central. Also present were Mayor Elionor Pillas of Jala-jala Province, Rizal Board Member and Chair of the Provincial Committee on Health Dr. Genato Bernardo, Cainta Municipal Administrator Atty. Cristino Pablo and Chief Accountant Alma Jose, and Sta. Lucia East Commercial Corporation officers led by Leasing Administration Manager Carla Abu and Mall Operations Manager Cipriano Boncay.
Members and stakeholders in Rizal and nearby localities may visit the Service Office for their PhilHealth transactions such as submission of benefit claim documents, premium payments, application for membership and provider accreditation, among others. "We truly want to make our services conveniently accessible and more meaningful to our clients, that's why we are bringing them to where people are converging," explains Aquino.
"They can now avail of our services while malling and shopping with their families - which is more economical and time saving," he added. The area lies in a vital crossroad boasting of major transport terminals connecting Rizal to the rest of Metro Manila.
In his welcome remarks, Balog acknowledged the effort of Rizal Governor Casimiro Ynares III to provide health insurance coverage for the province. He also thanked the Sta. Lucia East Commercial Corporation for giving PhilHealth the opportunity to establish its new Service Office in the vicinity. For his part, Mendiola called on local chief executives including those in the legislature to be part of the National Health Insurance Program while Beltran shared the fact that in the latest survey on corporate governance, PhilHealth ranked ninth out of ten (10) corporations despite its limited presence in three stategic areas in the National Capital Region.
Pillas, who is also the President of the Rizal Mayors' League said that he himself "...believes in the importance of PhilHealth and in the service that it gives" and looks forward to the continued growth and progress of the province. Bernardo emphasized the need for the provincial government to continue "investing right" by prioritzing health, education and environment in its programs. At the same time, Pablo said that Cainta Mayor Ramon A. Ilagan was grateful to PhilHealth "for choosing the municipality for your new home," adding that it is "a vote of confidence for the progressive town" and assured PhilHealth of the municipality's help in promoting the NHIP among its constituents.
The Rizal Service Office is headed by Delio Aseron II and caters to PhilHealth members in the entire Rizal Province.