Pasig City signs up with PhilHealth: PhilHealth Para sa Pasigueño January 6, 2012

THE Local Government of Pasig City finally signed up with the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to provide health insurance coverage for its less privileged constituents.

A Memorandum of Agreement was recently signed between PhilHealth President and CEO Dr. Eduardo P.Banzon and Pasig City Mayor Robert "Bobby" Eusebio to formalize the enrolment of about 16,000 families from various barangays in the city. The event coincided with the ceremonial turn-over of the fund check at the Pasig City Hall grounds. City officials, employees as well as the City’s traffic enforcers and sweepers witnessed the forging of ties that will enable them to access quality and affordable health insurance benefits in times of ill health.

Dubbed "PhilHealth Para Sa Pasigueño," the program calls for the city government to allot P20 million for the enrolment of more than 16,000 families from various barangays in the City. The City has nine (9) hospitals, 16 lying-in clinics, five (5) dialysis clinics and one TB-DOTS Center through which recipients and their qualified dependents can access healthcare services.

In his short message, Banzon was grateful to Eusebio for his support to the administration's call for Universal Health Care. He assured all Pasigueños that PhilHealth will continuously work on the necessary measures not only to further enhance its benefits but for them to enjoy their health insurance coverage at no cost. "Klaro po ang utos sa amin at gumagawa po kami ng mga hakbang na hindi lamang gaganda ang benepisyo ng mga nai-enroll partikular sa Pasig kundi gagawin naming ang lahat ng paraan na hindi na po sila gagastos kung sila ay magkasakit," Banzon said.

Eusebio, on the other hand, believes in the LGU’s major role in attaining the UHC. "Ang panukala ng ating Pangulo na mabigyan ng Universal Health Care ang mga Filipino…sino ba ang pupuedeng magtulak nu’n at magsimula? Siyempre kaming mga LGUs," he said.

He also articulated that the reason for their enrolment is not only the savings gained but also the quality health insurance they will get from PhilHealth. "Hindi kami bumalak dahil nakatipid kami, kundi dahil sa assurance na mayroong quality health care kaming matatanggap," he said.

Also present in the signing ceremony were City Vice Mayor Rosalio "Yoyong" T. Martires, City Councilors Virgilio del Rosario, Rodrigo B. Asilo, Reynaldo F. Raymundo, Richard C. Eusebio, Charmie Q. Benavides, Christian G. Sia, Regino S. Balderamma, Assistant City Health Officer Dr. Joseph Panaligan, PhilHealth Vice President for NCR Group Dr. Shirley Domingo and PhilHealth Branch Manager for NCR South Dr. Elizabeth Fernandez. (END)