MANILA: The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) on Wednesday committed to enhance their services and patients’ benefit package.

PhilHealth president and CEO Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. made the commitment during the hearing of the House health committee in response to the call of Speaker Martin Romualdez to expand the state-run health insurer’s benefit packages for its members.

‘We are one we are one with Speaker Martin when he says we have to aggressively and continuously increase the case packages of PhilHealth across the board,’ Ledesma said.

Ledesma said as part of PhilHealth’s mandate, they would increase the benefit packages to make it easier for Filipinos to avail of healthcare services.

He added that it would be better for the country and its healthcare system if Filipinos could enjoy significantly lower out-of-pocket medical expenses.

PhilHealth’s vice president Eli Santos echoed Ledesma’s statement, saying he fully supports Romualdez’ directive for a review of their charter to expand
patient benefits, including early cancer detection and to explore ways to provide more comprehensive healthcare coverage.

‘We will be able to fulfill and comply with the directive of our Honorable Speaker Martin Romualdez,’ he said. ‘We submit to the directive of our Honorable Speaker and the Committee to focus our resources in safeguarding the health of the populace.”

Santos said the review of the charter should also look into PhilHealth’s investment strategies to ensure its funds are used in ways that directly benefit the health and well-being of the Filipino people.

Ledesma said that while PhilHealth is increasing by as much as 30 percent the coverage rate of most of its benefit packages starting February 14, additional increases are still needed.

‘Umpisa pa lang yung 30 percent (The 30 percent [increase] is just the beginning and we would really move forward,’ he said.

Other enhancements

Ledesma noted that the PhilHealth’s benefit committee has recently approved the enhancement of the Z Benefits for
breast cancer effective in March 2024.

He also highlighted that the agency enhanced several benefit packages after 13 years without changes, including: High Risk Pneumonia, from PHP32,000 to PHP90,100, or a 182-percent increase; Acute Stroke Ischemia from PHP28,000 to PHP76,000, a 171-percent increase; and Acute Stroke Hemorrhagic from PHP30,000 to PHP80,000, a 111-percent increase.

He said the Z Benefits package for colon and rectal cancers were also recently enhanced, allowing patients with metachronous colorectal tumor to re-avail of the package for colon and rectal cancer.

Ledesma said PhilHealth also revised the policy on select orthopedic implants, which allowed beneficiaries to avail of a maximum of two Z Benefits packages, regardless of laterality for procedures that were done on different dates, or on the same day, within the same confinement period by patients with single or multiple injuries that requires more than one implant.

He said the package rate for select orthopedic implants were increa
sed to respond to the increasing costs of orthopedic implant devices and minimize delay in surgeries.

Ledesma, meanwhile, said PhilHealth has settled its PHP50 billion-debt to health facilities from August to December 2023 in compliance with his commitment during a House hearing in September last year.

“It is in line with our promise, and we complied with it,’ he said.

In directing the House committee to review PhilHealth’s charter, Romualdez said there is a need for PhilHealth to function as a health maintenance organization, focusing its resources on safeguarding the health of the populace rather than investing in commercial banks and bonds.

“With substantial annual allocations from Congress and regular contributions from private employees, there is no excuse for PhilHealth to scrimp on coverage. The effectiveness of the Universal Health Care system depends on our ability to provide for our citizens, ensuring they receive the medical attention and preventive care they deserve,” he said.

Source: Philip
pines News Agency

LEGAZPI: Some 13,000 residents of the six provinces of the Bicol Region are expected to benefit from a series of medical-dental missions dubbed “Tarabangan Caravan” of Ako Bicol (AKB) Party-List slated this year.

In an interview on Wednesday, Sally Luces, AKB media relations officer, said the caravan is part of the priority programs of AKB and President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to give health services to the people.

“This is a priority program of the Ako-Bicol Party-List led by Rep. Elizaldy Co giving the services of the government closer to the people, particularly those who are in far-flung areas in the region,” Luces said.

She said they are already preparing the schedules of the 22 Tarabangan Caravan in various parts of the region.

“We target at least 600 per activity for fellow Bicolanos who need to have access to health services. They will not spend money for check-ups and they can get free medicines,” Luces said.

Apart from the medical and dental services, job fairs, free massages and haircuts and p
rovision of livelihood assistance will also be part of the activities.

For 2023, more than 6,000 residents in the Bicol region benefited from the AKB Tarabangan Caravan.

“Ang Tarabangan Caravan ay nakapagbigay ng serbisyong medikal nuong nakaraang taon sa 6,116 na mga residente sa mga bayan ng Manito, Camalig, Malilipot, Anislag, Sto. Domingo, Guinobatan, at pati na rin sa mga piling lugar sa Legazpi City at Calabanga, maging sa lalawigan ng Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur at Masbate (The Tarabangan Caravan provided medical services last year to 6,116 residents in the towns of Manito, Camalig, Malilipot, Anislag, Sto. Domingo, Guinobatan, and also in selected areas in Legazpi City and Calabanga, even in the provinces of Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur and Masbate),” Luces said.

In a statement, Co, who is chair of the Committee on Appropriations in the Lower House, hailed the success of the Tarabangan Caravan as a reflection of the AKB’s commitment to serving the people and the community.

“Bicolanos can hope
that the Ako Bicol Party-List will further expand this program so that more people can be reached and given medical services. The caravan proves that reaching out and helping those in need, especially in remote areas, is possible and effective in improving the health and livelihood of the community,” the lawmaker said.

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: A relaunch of the Balikatan sa Kaunlaran (BSK) EntrePinoy Program has been set to advance micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by giving them access to marketing and networking opportunities.

The program will be relaunched through the three-day EntrePinoy Expo on Feb. 23-25 at Robinsons Galleria along Ortigas Avenue, Quezon City.

On Jan. 23, BSK National Foundation Chairperson Emeritus Guia Gomez witnessed the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) between BSK and Robinsons Land Corp. in San Juan City.

BSK EntrePinoy Program chairperson Rosario ‘Charo’ Yu and executive vice president Joan Corpus Araneta signed on behalf of the organization while Robinsons Land Corp. senior marketing director Jess Zulueta III and marketing manager Ana Palenzuela, Marketing Manager represented the company in the signing ceremony. LDR Events Solution managing director Lucette dela Rosa joined the occasion as one of the witnesses.

The tripartite partnership aims to relaunch the EntrePinoy Program, a pioneer
ing initiative that was successfully implemented in the 1990s under the leadership of then BSK National President Guia Gomez.

The MOA signing represents a crucial step towards realizing the shared goals of BSK, Robinsons Land Corp., and LDR in advancing the MSMEs.

With the theme, ‘Likhang Balikatan 2024,’ the Expo will showcase Philippine-made products of EntrePinoys from various places. The event is open to the public for FREE.

BSK councils/chapters nationwide are encouraged to join and renew their membership with BSK. For more details, please see the official Facebook Page of the Balikatan sa Kaunlaran National Foundation. For confirmation of participants and inquiries, please contact LDR Events Solution at 0998-9715373.

Source: Philippines News Agency

BACOLOD: The city government here has received a green light for the funding of the upgrade, renovation, and beautification of the public plaza from the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), an attached agency of the Department of Tourism (DOT).

In an update on Wednesday, the proposed project includes improvements, particularly on the fountains and lighting fixtures.

Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said in an interview that First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos endorsed the project.

‘So far, I was given a very positive response from TIEZA to be able to fund our request for the beautification,’ the mayor said.

‘With the help of the First Lady, we might be able to do that within the year. We are looking at putting enhanced fountains, lights, and music based on the presented concept.’

In December, the city government requested PHP300 million in funding from the DOT and TIEZA for the improvement of the facilities at the public plaza and the Government Center.

Benitez said they have requested
PHP80 million for water fountains at the plaza and PHP220 million for the renovation of the Bacolod City Government Center grounds.

Earlier, the City Council passed a resolution requesting the proposed funding for the two projects to boost tourism development in this city.

Benitez said that last weekend, he met with Bishop Patricio Buzon of the Diocese of Bacolod City to present the city’s plans to renovate the plaza fountains and its intention to address the issue of illegal vendors in the area.

The Rizal Street portion of the public plaza across the San Sebastian Cathedral belongs to the Diocese of Bacolod under a usufruct agreement.

‘The bishop welcomed these improvements and expressed hope that the implemented changes would be sustained,’ the mayor said.

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday enjoined the Filipino faithful to go on a journey of renewing their relationship with God.

Marcos made the call, as he joined the commemoration of Ash Wednesday, which marks the first day of Lent.

‘In observing Ash Wednesday, let us all reflect and renew our faith,’ he said in a Facebook post.

This year’s observance of Ash Wednesday falls on Feb. 14, coinciding with the celebration of Valentine’s Day.

Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines assistant secretary general Fr. Bryand Restituto on Monday called on the faithful to have a ‘meaningful date with God’ on Valentine’s Day and Ash Wednesday.

In a homily at the Sta. Maria Goretti Parish in Manila on Wednesday, parish priest Fr. Jason Laguerta urged the Catholic faithful to open their hearts to God and repent for their sins.

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the 40-day Lenten season. It is observed by Christians as a holy day of fasting and praying.

It came from the ancient Jewish tradi
tion of penance and fasting using ashes of the palm fronds blessed on Palm Sunday of the previous year.

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: Some 100,000 individuals found to have multiple voter registrations will soon be charged with election offenses, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Wednesday.

In a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon briefing, poll body spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said the number is part of the close to half a million registrants they have detected in 2023.

“Last year, we delisted some 500,000 double and multiple registrants. By our assessment, 100,000 of them were deliberate (attempts). Registration of more than once for purposes of being a flying voter is considered as an election offense,” Laudiangco said.

An election offense case is punishable with one to six years imprisonment, removal of right to vote and disqualification to hold public office.

He said the filing of charges should serve as a warning against those planning to apply for more than one registration.

Laudiangco also warned them that the Comelec will be able to detect such attempts.

“We will surely capture these multiple registrants because all
new applicants will be undergoing the automated fingerprint identification. We are capable of detecting if you have another registration. If we see one, you may face election offense charges,” he added.

Meanwhile, Laudiangco said some 175,000 applications for registration were received by the poll body on the second day of the voter registration period for the May 2025 midterm elections.

Comelec chair George Erwin Garcia said Tuesday’s figures nearly doubled the number of the registrants during the start of the registration period on Monday.

“We will hold voter registration activities until Sept. 30 so the numbers are really encouraging,” he said in a separate interview.

At the same time, Garcia said they are preparing to tap religious establishments owned by the Catholic Church, Iglesia ni Cristo, Jesus is Lord Church and El Shaddai as satellite registration venues.

He said they are also planning to bring the registration process in Camp Abu Bakar owned by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

“We
want to bring it everywhere so that we can show that voter registration does not choose any sector,” he added.

The Comelec expects some 3 million new registered voters during the seven-month voter registration period.

Meanwhile, the Comelec in Western Visayas called on registrants from the region, including those interested in availing of the RAP, to enlist early and not wait for the Sept. 30 deadline.

‘To those who plan to participate in any electoral exercises, election or otherwise, this is now the time to register if you haven’t registered because this is the first step when we can exercise our right of suffrage,’ said Comelec regional elections director for Western Visayas lawyer Dennis Ausan on Wednesday.

The registration covers not only new registrants, but also those who wanted to apply for transfer due to a change in residence, deactivated for whatever reason, change of status and correction of entries, among others.

Ausan said residents outside of Iloilo but are here for work or other reasons c
an also register through the RAP.

He said the RAP is available in Comelec offices in the highly urbanized cities of Iloilo and Bacolod and capital towns, including Jordan, in Guimaras; San Jose de Buenavista, Antique; Kalibo, Aklan; and Roxas City in Capiz.

Registration is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., including Saturdays and holidays.

A National Voters Day will be held on Feb. 21 at the West Visayas State University cultural center in this city.

Source: Philippines News Agency