The 11 towns and two cities of Pampanga are set to accept premium payments from Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth) members.
This came after the mayors of the different local government units (LGUs) of the province and the Philhealth represented by Regional Office III OIC-Vice President Walter Bacareza signed a Collection and Remittance Agreement during the Pampanga Mayors’ League (PML) meeting held at the Executive House, Capitol building on Friday.
According to Bacareza, the agreement allows the LGUs to act as collecting agents of Philhealth by accepting premium contributions from the private and government sectors, owners of micro enterprises, owners of small and medium enterprises, household help and family drivers. The LGUs can also accept premium contributions from indigent and sponsored sectors.
The regional vice president said he is impressed with the provincewide signing, as it is the first in Luzon and Mindanao.
“I’m so impressed because ang buong Pampanga talaga is now signing the agreement. Therefore, ‘yong mga constituents ng Pampanga will not have a hard time in paying their premiums,” Bacareza said.
“The problem with paying premiums for Philhealth is actually the convenience. Ang taas ng transaction cost eh. Ang ginawa natin together with Gov. (Lilia) Pineda and PML President Mylyn (Pineda-Cayabyab) pinalapit ang Philhealth sa tao,” Bacareza added.
Bacareza said he is confident that Region III will have the most number of LGUs that will act as collecting partners if the other provinces will follow suit.
PML President and Lubao Mayor Mylyn Pineda-Cayabyab, meanwhile, requested the Philhealth Regional Office to conduct awareness campaigns in the different LGUs to inform their members about the new collecting partners.