News
PhilHealth@15: A Toast to Universal Coverage -
February 16, 2010
The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) recently honored its partners and stakeholders as it celebrated its 15th year of ensuring the nation's health. About 1,200 guests from Local Government Units, hospitals, banks and employers as well as heads of agencies took part in the event which was held at the Reception Hall of the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC)
"There are three big reasons that have prompted us to mark this year with such kind of an event," said Dr. Rey B. Aquino, PhilHealth's President and Chief Executive Officer. "First, it is our 15th year. Second, February is the National Health Insurance Month and third and the biggest reason of all is that we have achieved our mandate of giving a great majority of Filipinos access to quality health care through affordable social health insurance" he proudly announces. To show its appreciation to its partners and stakeholders, PhilHealth paid tribute to the institutions and the men and women who have contributed to the success of social health insurance in the country and who have tirelessly helped PhilHealth achieve universal coverage.
Aquino led the recognition rites for 20 health care providers for upholding the ideals of quality health care and for consistently meeting PhilHealth's standards of excellence. He was with Dr. Francisco T. Duque III, former Health Secretary, PhilHealth President and CEO and Board Chairman and now Chairman of the Civil Service Commission (CSC)
Undersecretary Austere Panadero of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) joined Aquino in handing out plaques of recognition to about 87 local government units that have achieved universal coverage status under PhilHealth's Sponsored Program.
Secretary Marianito Roque of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) later joined Aquino in honoring about 19 employers from the government and private sectors who have shown responsible corporate citizenship and stewardship of their workers' health and wellness.
Four accredited collecting agents, namely, United Coconut Planters Bank, RCBC Savings Bank, Bangko Kabayan, and iRemit were also recognized for ensuring members' access to payment facilities nationwide and in key sites overseas.
Special citations were also given to Duque, the first PhilHealth President and CEO to become Health Secretary, for making health care financing an important player in his vision for health care reform in the Philippines. Senator Edgardo J. Angara and former Senator Freddie N. Webb were also cited for authoring and sponsoring a landmark legislation that granted equal access to quality health care services to all Filipinos.
In his short message Webb thanked the men and women of PhilHealth who made health care services more responsive to its members. "Kung wala kayo hindi gaganda ang PhilHealth, ang mga kababayan natin na naghahanap ng magandang kalusugan ay hindi natin mabibigyan ng karapatang mamuhay" he said.
Her Excellency Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo graced the momentous occasion as she congratulated PhilHealth on its 15th year and recognized the valuable role it plays in the country's development. "It used to be that PhilHealth only covered deliveries by caesarean section. But maternal mortality is something we must aggressively bring down, as a UN Millenium Development Goal, so we have included now normal child delivery in our health insurance hoping that this will encourage mothers to give birth at hospitals, where it is less risky and where they can be taken cared of."
"We must continue hands-on governance until the day we leave office. And I trust that you and PhilHealth will never lose sight of your target of universal coverage," she added.
The event, which was hosted by Bobby Yan and Veronica Baluyot-Jimenez, was highlighted by performances of The RSVP String Ensemble and The Company. (END)