Innovation is only innovation if it makes a positive impact for our clients. – Anonymous

In 2012, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) introduced the Electronic Premium Reporting System, a move designed to do away with the manual system of preparing and submitting remittance reports by employers. Over the years, PhilHealth continuously improved on the system and at present, employers all over the country are benefitting from using the Electronic Premium Remittance System (EPRS), a web-based innovation where generation of statement of account, online remittance of premium contributions and posting of payments have significantly unburdened the PhilHealth Employers’ Engagement Representatives (PEERs).

In the Northeastern part of the Philippines, employers in Region II from government and private sectors shared their experiences in using EPRS.

San Isidro National High School
Brgy. Gomez, San Isidro, Isabela

“Ninety five percent ang ibinilis ng trabaho ko dahil sa EPRS,” said Erlinda Sabbaluca, cashier and the person assigned to remit mandatory deductions of San Isidro National High School, Isabela when asked on the advantages of using EPRS.

With no computer background, she admitted that she had apprehensions in using the system. But after the orientation, she found out that it was user-friendly even to a newbie like her. “Noong unang panahon magta-type ka, pag nagka-problema ka sa sub-total o sa total, dahil manual ang pag-compute, manual ding aayusin. Ngayon hindi na. Kung may adjustment sa salary madali na lang gawin hindi na kagaya noon,” she added.

By using EPRS, she finds that generation of statement of premium account (SPA), payment, reporting and posting of remittances can be done promptly “basta may internet connection,” she said. But since they are under the Department of Education, they have to pay the premium contribution through the bank. She also cited that since using the system, penalties were avoided.“Ngayon, hindi na kami nale-late sa pagbabayad sa PhilHealth hindi gaya dati na nagkakaroon kami ng penalty,” she ended.

Argus Manpower and Argus Security and Investigation Agency
Ugac Norte, Tuguegarao City

“Fluctuating ang bilang ng mga employees naming,” said Jonabel M. Birung, Administrative Officer of Argus Manpower and Argus Security and Investigation Agency. With a combined workforce of almost 300 and due to their line of business, she needs to regularly update the company’s records, thus payment to PhilHealth and other mandatory deductions varies every month.

Although she encountered minor internet connectivity glitches in the area, she is very satisfied with the system, describing it as “user-friendly and convenient. Mahirap noong naka-USB pa, magulo. Magprepare ng RF1, magbabayad sa PhilHealth office, magsa-submit ng report,” referring to the manual submission of PhilHealth remittance reports.

“Talagang nagagamit namin ang EPRS, satisfied ako sa sistemang ito na ginawa ng PhilHealth. Anytime of the day, puede kong magawa ang statement of account o mag-post ng binayaran,” she ended.

National Economic Development Authority (NEDA)
Regional Government Center, Tuguegarao City

The National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) in Region II started using the EPRS only in July 2016, but Reginald Agustin, Administrative Assistant II and PEER, found the system helpful and convenient, stressing that because of it they have 100 percent compliance to PhilHealth.

“Maayos ang implementation ng EPRS, madaling gamitin kapag sinunod ang steps, madali lang,” he shared.

As a government agency, he cannot use the online payment but can still prove that the system makes his job easier. Through the EPRS, he can easily counter-check his PhilHealth remittance report. “Sa posting makikita agad kung may hindi nag-tally (ang premium contribution at report) kaya puede ko nang gawin ang adjustment bago ma-finalize sa payment at ang voucher processing,” he narrated.

Agustin also experienced internet glitches knowing that “nakadepende lahat ang online platforms sa internet” and added “kung may delay, refresh lang ng refresh para makapasok sa system or maagang-maaga papasok or after office hours na lang mag-try pumasok sa EPRS dahil madami kaming nakikibahagi sa internet connection.”

He was also satisfied with how PhilHealth serves its clients, saying that “madaling lapitan ang mga taga-PhilHealth. Nung nag-install ng EPRS, may one-on-one orientation na, may group orientation pa.”

Grupo Marilen Inc.
Santiago City, Isabela

Grupo Marilen is a distributor company handling different food products with branches in Cagayan and Nueva Vizcaya. Assigned to handle the accounts of more than 600 employees, Gilda Guinto said that using EPRS makes her job easier.

“Mabilis ang aksyon sa paggamit ng EPRS, walang pila-pila, wala ng hard copy ng report na isa-submit sa PhilHealth office,” said Guinto. “Madaling mag-input sa excel format, madaling mag-adjust kung may mga bagong empleyado,” she added.

She noted that she can easily generate the statement of premium account and can save a copy for her file. Also posting of their payment is hassle-free – “malayo sa dating sistema, iyung mano-mano tapos iba-ibang version ng EPRS,” she noticed.

As a PEER, Ms. Guinto keeps herself updated with current policies being implemented by attending orientations conducted by PhilHealth. She also commends PhilHealth for delivering quality service to the clients saying that “wala akong problema sa kanila (PhilHealth staff), lagi silang nag-a-update kung may bagong programa o sistema.” (END) (PG Aragones)