ILIGAN CITY (PIA) -- The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation Local Health Insurance Office (PhilHealth LHIO) in Iligan has signed a memorandum of agreement with eight local government units and six national government agencies in Lanao del Norte to enroll their job order workers under the Group Enrollment Program (GEP). 

A total of 3,435 contractual and job-order workers now have access to comprehensive social health insurance coverage. These workers are from the local government units of Iligan City, Tubod, Kauswagan, Kolambugan, Baroy, Linamon, Salvador, provincial government of Lanao del Norte, the Department of Trade and Industry-Lanao del Norte, Philippine Ports Authority-Port Management Office Lanao del Norte, Mindanao State University-Lanao del Norte Agricultural College, Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Integrated Natural Resources and Environmental Management Project, and Department of Education Lanao del Norte. 

Regional Vice President Delio Aseron II said that through monthly premium remittances and streamlined registration processes, PhilHealth ensures these workers and their qualified dependents, including legal spouses and children below 20 years old without jobs or spouses, receive healthcare benefits.

“Para ma-extend sa job order workers at casual workers, may kasunduan ang PhilHealth para po every month, tutulungan nila na ma-i-remit ang kanilang premium at maging maayos ang kanilang registration, isahan na lamang,” he said. 

[To extend the benefits to job-order workers and casual workers, PhilHealth has an agreement where every month, they will assist in remitting their premiums and ensuring their registration is in order, all in one go.

Meanwhile, Area Vice President for Mindanao, Gregorio C. Rulloda, underscored the importance of inclusivity in PhilHealth membership, particularly with the implementation of the Universal Health Care Law, ensuring that all Filipinos are automatically enrolled. This initiative not only expands coverage but also ensures that individuals are included in the database to receive benefits. 

“Ito ay pagpapakita lamang na interesado ang LGU, different organizations na bigyan ng health protection ang kanilang mga empleyado maski job order sila. Ito ay pamamaraan na nagbibigay kalinga sa kanilang mga emplyeado. Hopefully lahat ng job order, even sa private sector ini-encourage namin na magpasama sa GEP,” he said.

[This only shows that the LGU and different organizations are interested in providing health protection to their employees, even if they are on job order status. This is a way of caring for their employees. Hopefully, all job-order workers, even those from the private sector, will be encouraged to join the GEP.]

Moreover, Iligan City Administrator Darwin Manubag emphasized that their initiative to enroll over 2,000 of their job orders and contractual workers in the PhilHealth program is a strategic move to ensure that their employees can avail themselves of healthcare benefits.

“We were able to make sure nga mapasabot sa ilaha nga importante kaayo nga sa panahon naa ka problema, importante man gyud nga naa kay kadaganan labi na nga maka-avail ka dayon ka sa services sa Philhealth,” he said.

[We were able to make sure that they understood how important it is that, during times of difficulty, they have immediate access to PhilHealth services.]

He also emphasized that health is a top priority for their administration, aligning with the Integrated Development Goals (IDG) on health. Iligan was also acknowledged last year for having the highest number of and most efficient KonSulTa facilities in Region 10. Additionally, they conduct weekly service caravans and "Oplan Bisita" (operational visits) to address the healthcare needs of residents.

Moreover, they also augmented the number of doctors and nurses to enhance healthcare services. Improvements are also being made to the city hospital. They are thankful for the support given by PhilHealth  to improve the healthcare system and health services.

Meanwhile, Lanao del Norte Board Member and Committee on Health Chairperson Christy Atay shared that ensuring job orders and contractual employees avail of healthcare benefits is a priority of their administration.   

"Kung dili ta preparado, luoy kayo ta ug ang atong mga pamilya. Mao amo ni gidawat nga programa nga nindot kaayo, sa matag-usa para matagaan og dako nga pagtagad ug pribilehiyo ang atong mga empleyado,” she said.

[If we are not prepared, our families will suffer. This is why we warmly welcome this program, as it provides significant care and privileges to each employee.]

LHIO Iligan also conducted a blessing ceremony for its improved facilities, where they enhanced their frontline office to provide a more spacious and accommodating environment for transactions for their clients.

These milestones are part of PhilHealth’s celebration of its 29th founding anniversary and National Insurance Month.  (LELA/PIA-10/Lanao del Norte)