WORKERS in the local film industry can now breathe easy and work long hours without having to worry about financial concerns due to medical necessities.

This new development came about after the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) and the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) formalized an agreement to enroll into the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP) all registered members of the FDCP. The agreement was to ensure that self-earning film industry workers such as cameramen, gaffers, actors, directors, producers, and their qualified legal dependents are provided with social health insurance coverage.

The signing ceremony, which was held at the Limbaga 77 in Quezon City, was led by PhilHealth Head Executive Assistant to the President and CEO and Concurrent OIC-Vice President for Corporate Affairs Group Dr. Israel Francis A. Pargas and FDCP Chairman Mary Liza Diño. Also present during the signing ceremony were FDCP members and representatives of the Social Security System (SSS) and Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF).

“Ang kasunduang ito ay patunay lamang ng mabuting ugnayan sa pagitan ng mga ahensya ng gobyerno, katulad na lamang ng FDCP at ng PhilHealth. Nagpapasalamat kami sa FDCP sa pagiging kabahagi at katuwang namin sa pagpapakalap ng impormasyon ukol sa benepisyong maaaring makuha mula sa PhilHealth. Sa hangarin ng FDCP na mabigyang proteksyon ang mga miyembro nit,o hayaan ninyo maging kaagapay ninyo ang PhilHealth sa pagkamit nito,” stated VP Pargas.

Under the agreement, the FDCP shall mandate all self-earning film industry workers to enroll and pay their premium contributions to PhilHealth under the Informal Economy Sector. It shall also act as a channel in the dissemination of information to its members about the latter’s programs, benefits, and privileges to its employees and members, and provide a focal person who shall coordinate with the state-run health insurance corporation for the implementation of the provisions stated in the agreement. In addition, FDCP shall also invite PhilHealth representatives to its events, conventions, fora, and other similar activities where its members convene for the purpose of conducting orientation, onsite registration, and enrolment of prospective members.

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On the other hand, PhilHealth shall also provide a focal person who will coordinate with the FDCP and facilitate the enrolment of FDCP members to PhilHealth. It shall conduct orientation and on-site registration for all qualified FDCP members to promote awareness of the programs and benefits they can avail themselves of. The PhilHealth shall also provide information about its payment facilities to ensure regularity of payment contribution of enrolled FDCP members.

Pargas added, “Ito ay magandang hakbang upang maisakatuparan ang health agenda ng Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte na maseguro na ang lahat ng Filipino ay makatatanggap at makakukuha ng benepisyo mula sa PhilHealth”.

Interested FDCP members may visit the nearest PhilHealth Regional or Local Health Insurance Office, or PhilHealth Express in their localities. They may also register online by accessing the Electronic Registration module within the Online Services Section of www.philhealth.gov.ph.

The FDCP is the government office responsible for making the cinema a pre-eminent instrument for the enrichment of the Filipino culture, articulation of the Filipino identity, and a constant stimulus of self-awareness and social responsibility in the society. It was created by virtue of Republic Act 9167, s. 2002. (END) (by Dianna Marie Chua; Photos by Jose Mari Sanvicente)

(Reference: Dr. Israel Francis A. Pargas, Head Executive Assistant and Concurrent OIC-Vice President for Corporate Affairs Group, Cel No. 0917-8089399)