PhilHealth

PhilHealth SOCCSKSARGEN Holds Forum with Civil Registrars 05-23-2024

The PhilHealth Regional Office (PRO) XII recently conducted a forum with the Local Civil Registrars (LCRs) to facilitate members’ seamless automatic coverage under the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP). Further, issues and concerns about non-availment of benefits due to lacking documentary requirements and outdated membership records were also addressed during the event that was held at The Farm Carpenter Hill in Koronadal City.

“We received reports from patients who were not able to avail of their PhilHealth benefits. One of the reasons cited is the difficulty to secure documentary requirements, which is contrary to the Universal Health Care (UHC) guarantee of immediate eligibility,” noted Nevin L. Hallegado, PRO XII-Membership Section Head.

He added, “Your presence in this forum is very significant since documents such as birth certificates, and marriages and deaths records emanate from your office. In a whole-of-nation approach to ensure seamless implementation of the NHIP and realization of UHC, the LCRs have a very important role to play,” said.

Atty. Suharto I. Ibay, President of the Philippine Shariah Lawyers League, Inc. discussed the legitimacy of children among Muslims. According to him, those who are 2o years old and below can be declared as legal dependents, and are entitled to avail of their parent’s PhilHealth benefits.

Meanwhile, Shyla Marie M. Detecio, OIC-Civil Registration and Administrative Support Division, Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), discussed other pertinent rules concerning the application and issuance of birth certificates and marriage contracts. She reiterated the 30-day processing window of said documents.

On the other hand, Ronald Jones Hinay, Provincial Officer, Department of Information Communication and Technology, stressed the importance of securing one’s documents against identity theft. “There are instances that one’s identity can be stolen if it will be posted online on the social media. That is why, there is a need for us to secure our personal records and information in order to be safe from other’s malicious intent,” he said.

As part of the commitment and continued collaboration, the PSA and PhilHealth have agreed to hold a follow-up round table discussion with Shariah District Court to further resolve issues and make PhilHealth registration easier for the affected members. ###