THE Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) launches its first ever nationwide running event on February 17, 2013 to mark its 18th year of establishment.
Dubbed "PhilHealth Run 2013: Nationwide Run for Mother and Child Protection", the event aims to continuously draw national attention and support to its mission of providing all Filipinos with access to quality health care through social health insurance.
"The PhilHealth Run 2013 is part of our 'Be PhilHealth Now' campaign and indeed an excellent platform for us to celebrate our mandate of Universal Health Care as we move closer to achieving universal coverage next year" announces PhilHealth President and CEO Dr. Eduardo P. Banzon during the event’s media launch in Quezon City.
PhilHealth is mandated to provide all Filipinos regardless of status in life with financial access to quality health care services. In July this year, President Benigno Aquino III announced during his State of the nation Address that it reached its 80 million mark which translates to 85 percent of the entire Philippine population of 96 million.
"This time, we are running towards bringing UHC a reality as well as making a statement on the importance of mother and child health in support of our country’s commitment to the Millennium Development Goals" he added.
PhilHealth declared that the event also aims to help increase public awareness and create more advocates who will advance the issue. Proceeds from registration fees and sponsorships will benefit one national and 18 other local institutions that work for and cater to the health and welfare of Filipino mothers and children.
"We are targeting some 90 thousand professional and amateur runners from different parts of the country to take part in this historical event" adds Banzon, adding that the "run will be held simultaneously in 18 sites so they can better express support to our cause right where they are."
The event is open to all Filipino and even non-Filipinos who are in good health condition. They can register in three-, five-, ten- or 18-kilometer category either online or at any PhilHealth regional and local health insurance offices where they are supposed to run.
The 18 sites are Manila, Baguio, Dagupan, Tuguegarao, Clark, Malolos, Laguna, Batangas, Legazpi, Iloilo, Cebu, Tacloban, Zamboanga, Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Koronadal, Marawi and Butuan.
UHC advocates and interested runners are encouraged to log on to run2013.philhealth.gov.ph for more details. (END)
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