CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – The Provincial Government and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) signed a memorandum of agreement the other day to provide social protection and health insurance to Job Orders (JOs) and project-based contractors (PBCs) in the province.
The MOA was signed by Governor Lilia “Nanay” Pineda, Assistant Secretary of Health Leonita Gorgolon, PhilHealth Vice-President Walter Bacareza and representatives from local government units and agencies.
“May karapatan din naman ang mga Job Orders natin na magkaroon ng PhilHealth,” Pineda said.
Under the MOA, JOs and PBCs in the government or private offices shall be covered under the Formal Economy of the National Health Insurance Program. This means that government employers are authorized to withhold and remit full premium contributions of every JOs and PBCs under a group enrolment scheme.
In a brief speech, Bacareza said that the move to grant free PhilHealth to every Filipino is one of the priority programs of President Rodrigo Duterte.
“Pinagbuti na namin, lahat na ng Pilipino covered na. Buntis, mga senior citizens, mga mahihirap na nasa ospital, iko-cover na rin namin,” Bacareza said.
Bacareza also took the opportunity to thank local government units for their support and cooperation by providing posters and billboards in their respective municipalities to help promote free PhilHealth services in the community.
Governor Pineda likewise reiterated her call to make use of the benefits being offered by PhilHealth, noting that she is determined to provide free PhilHealth member data records (MDRs) particularly to indigent Kapampangans thru the “Alaga Ka Roadshow.”
Also present during the MOA signing are Provincial Administrator Andres S. Pangilinan Jr., PCL President Olga Frances David-Dizon, Board Member Nelson Calara, and Municipal Mayors Edwin Santiago of the City of San Fernando, Norberto Gamboa of Sta. Ana, Peter Nucom of Apalit, and Bon Alejandrino of Arayat town. –Ma. Reina Len Luna/PIO