KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato (PIA) -- In celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA Law), the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) XII has upscaled health insurance of indigenous peoples. 

According to Hanah Naanep, PhilHealth XII information officer,  the targeted health insurance registration of this sector is done by joining the Kasalang Tribu activities held by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) XII and local government unit in South Cotabato. 

PhilHealth personnel who attended, explained the government health insurance program of the national government, and conducted membership registration during the Kasalang Tribu in Lake Sebu on October 19, in Tupi on October 19, in Polomolok on October October 21, and in Tampakan on October 21.  

The team will also be joining the same activities in Tboli on October 24 and Koronadal City on October 25. 

Naanep said, the activity supports the efforts of the NCIP to institutionalize civil registration among indigenous communities. 

"The registration of IPs for their birth, death, and marriage records is essential in empowering them of their legal rights," Atty. Adolf Ryan Lantion, legal hearing officer of NCIP Region XII said. 

Naanep, emphasized that with legal documents in place, more indigenous peoples could access not only the services of PhilHealth but also those of other government agencies. (With report from Hanah Naanep/PhilHealth XII)