The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement with Robinsons Land Corporation (RLC) for a five-year extension of PhilHealth Express services in RLC’s Lingkod Pinoy Center in its 27 malls nationwide.

The signing ceremony was held at the Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria in Pasig City and was led by PhilHealth President and Chief Executive Officer Alexander A. Padilla and RLC President and Chief Operating Officer Frederick D. Go (third and fourth from left, respectively). Also in photo are (L-R) PhilHealth Group Vice President for Member Management Gregorio C. Rulloda; PhilHealth SVP for Legal Services Atty. Edgar Julio S. Asuncion; RLC SVP and General Manager for Commercial Centers Division Arlene Magtibay; and RLC Operations Director for Luzon Irving L. Wu.

The MoA aims to help bring PhilHealth’s programs and services closer to its members who are frequenting and availing themselves of conveniences of Robinsons Malls in urban centers in the country.

"I am truly grateful for and proud of this partnership because the high client traffic being experienced by Robinsons Malls, especially during weekends, translates to more of our own clients dropping by our Express outlets to update their records with us, have their IDs printed, or to simply ask about their PhilHealth benefits," said Padilla.

Among the services available at the PhilHealth Express are member registration and enrolment, updating and issuance of Member Data Record (MDR) and PhilHealth Identification Number (PIN), assistance on various queries and concerns, and acceptance of premium remittance reports. Clients who wish to pay their premium contributions may do so at accredited collecting agents and Bayad Centers, also within the Robinsons Mall complex.

"Based on reports submitted to us under our first engagement with RLC, around 100 to 400 PhilHealth members troop to our Express outlets everyday for their respective transactions," the PhilHealth Chief said, adding that "around 65 percent of the most common transactions are updating of member records, issuance of MDR and PIN, and inquiries about their membership."

To date, there are PhilHealth Express outlets in 27 RLC malls nationwide. This number supplements PhilHealth’s current network of 17 Regional Offices, five (5) Branches, and 102 Local Health Insurance Offices nationwide, all providing frontline services to its members.

"The presence of Express outlets in RLC malls that are strategically located in urban centers greatly helps our LHIOs cope with the influx of members who need frontline assistance. We look forward to an even better partnership with RLC in the next five (5) years," Padilla said.

The PhilHealth Express is open during mall hours from Monday to Sunday. (Faudia H. Subillaga)