CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Good news to indigents needing much needed medical insurance assistance.

The Provincial Government of Pampanga entered into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) last Monday with the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) in a bid to provide more PhilHealth insurance cards and services to poor families in the province.

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The signing was led by PhilHealth President Reynaldo Aquino, Governor Eddie Panlilio, and other local PhilHealth officials at the Executive House of the Provincial Capitol here last Monday.

"This MOA signing merely ensures the continuity of our programs for the poor, particularly those in this province. So far we are proud to say that Pampanga is among the provinces with the highest number of indigents enrolled under the PhilHealth program," Aquino said.

Under the MOA, the Provincial Government and PhilHealth would coordinate measures and plans to further improve PhilHealth coverage and services in the Province.

Aquino also urged Panlilio to utilize the services and technical manpower of the PhilHealth regional office during barangay campaigns on the programs of the health insurance agency.

The province is set to release P10 million for the payment of PhilHealth premiums of indigents in around 300 barangays here. But Aquino said such massive distribution should be coupled with proper information campaign to inform beneficiaries of the PhilHealth program.

Aquino also revealed future plans of the health insurance agency.

"We are aiming for a universal coverage for the entire country, we hope by at least 85 percent would be covered by PhilHealth. Aside from this, we are also studying the possible expansion of the services offered by PhilHealth," Aquino said.

For his part, Panlilio said they would work closely with the health insurance agency to come up with ways in extending PhilHealth services to poor Kapampangans in far-flung barangays. (IOF)

For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Bacolod.

(November 19, 2008 issue)
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