The Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB) and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHIC) have entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on Monday, 16 January 2023, for the establishment of a larger PhilHealth Satellite Office in the AFAB Administration Building, FAB, Mariveles, Bataan.
Signatories of the MOA were AFAB Administrator Emmanuel D. Pineda, AFAB Deputy Administrator for Support Services Malou L. Herrera, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHIC) – Region 3, acting Vice President Edgardo F. Faustino, and Branch Manager Dr. Rowena S. Zabat – San Mateo.
Under the agreement, the AFAB shall allow PhilHealth to utilize 11.294-square-meter office space, free of charge, for its daily operations. This is seen to improve the ease of doing business in the FAB as well as the community’s access to its services.
AFAB Deputy Administrator for Support Services Malou L. Herrera expressed her gratitude to the leadership of PHIC and stated this is a significant step toward AFAB’s goal of developing a one-stop-shop of various government agencies. She emphasized that the AFAB’s existence is highly dependent on the people it serves and that it is the Agency’s responsibility to make these services accessible for the community, one being the healthcare services of PhilHealth.
On the other hand, PHIC – Region 3 acting Vice President Edgardo F. Faustino said that the activity is aligned with the current administration’s thrust to revitalize health care under the Universal Health Care Law (UHC) and mentioned that it may help encourage FAB Enterprises to enroll their employees under PhilHealth’s healthcare packages.
The Memorandum of Agreement between AFAB and PhilHealth serves as a solid foundation for the two institutions to work together towards achieving a common goal of providing accessible, convenient, and effective social services not only within the Freeport but to the entire Bataeños at large. It also demonstrates the dedication of both organizations to ensure that the community’s welfare is well taken care of.
The signing ceremony was also attended by AFAB Community Services Department Manager Donia G. Alonzo, AFAB Administrative Services Department Manager Joe P. Millora, PhilHealth Region 3-A Acting Branch Manager Dr. Rowena S. Zabat – San Mateo, and Bataan Local Health Insurance Office (LHIO) Head Edmond M. Manuel.(MHIKE CIGARAL)