SPOKESPERSONS of Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) said they will enforce mandatory policies and benefits for members while urging those with complaints to come up front.

This as they were peppered with issues during Thursday's edition of the I-Speak forum in Davao City.

A member of the media, whose cousin was hospitalized, said they were not amply covered by the insurance as the doctor allegedly asked for a separate fee that they had to shoulder aside from the hospital bills that were covered by PhilHealth.

It was not clear, however, if the cousin underwent a procedure, which is customarily billed separately.

Bernadith Ipanag, PhilHealth public relations officer, said they will look into the matter promptly but added that a lot of members are still not knowledgeable of the extent of their coverage or benefits thus urging the public to attend their orientations.

Meanwhile, Ipanag said Philhealth now covers 85 percent of the working population of Southern Mindanao including their dependents.

"We are targeting to have universal coverage by 2010," said Germaine Tan, Public Relation Officer III of PhilHealth.

Tan added they are aiming for a 20 percent increase this year to bring them closer to the goal.

"We will go to barangays and markets and talk with organizations like tricycle drivers para ma-cover din sila. We will also urge companies to enroll their project-based or part time employees sa Philhealth," Tan said.

Since there have been massive lay-offs in some companies, Tan said they will help provide them with new jobs.

"Sa Feb. 19, as part of our 14th anniversary, we will hold a job fair at SM City Davao. Meron ding orientation and service desk ang PhilHealth doon. We have to help the members get new jobs kasi nga if they cannot contribute due to the absence of income, di sila makakakuha ng benefits," Tan said.

Tan also added the PhilHealth Central Office is now studying the possibility of increasing the contribution of members as these have remained the same in the past years.