KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato (PIA) -- After several follow ups and prodding from Regional Development Council XII, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) will soon open its offices in Lebak, Sultan Kudarat and in Midsayap, Cotabato.
This was agreed in the technical meeting called by the Regional Development Council (RDC) XII, through its Macro-Economy, Development Administration, and Finance Committee (MEDAFC) on August 16.
In 2019, the RDC XII issued Resolution No. 93 calling for the PhilHealth to establish its offices in these two municipalities in response to clamor for additional offices in Region 12. This was also supported by Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security XII, TESDA Secretary Isidro Lapeña who heads the Joint Regional Task Force – End Local Communist Armed Conflict (JRTF-ELCAC) which issued Resolution No. 39, series 2020 supporting the RDC resolution.
Nevin L. Hallegado, representative of PhilHealth Regional Office XII Acting Regional Vice President Dr. Hector Zenon P. Malate, said that they are very optimistic that PhilHealth Express Offices in Lebak and Midsayap would be operational and can serve already clients by the first week of October this year.
This is provided, he added, that the logistical, administrative, and other requirements needed are already in place.
Meanwhile, Mayor Romeo Araña and Vice Mayor Manuel M. Rabara of Midsayap, Cotabato and Councilor Juno Marteen S. Vegas, representing the Municipality of Lebak, welcomed this development and expressed their unwavering support and commitment for the said initiative. Both local government units (LGUs) promised to provide all the necessary assistance needed by PhilHealth to expedite the opening of these offices.
In her keynote message, RDC XII Vice-Chairperson Director Teresita Socorro Ramos of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) XII highlighted the important role of bringing the services of the government closer to the people, particularly to the geographically-isolated and other far-flung areas of the region.
She likewise emphasized that by having PhilHealth offices in Lebak, the people from the coastal areas of Sultan Kudarat would no longer need to travel to the capital town of Isulan, and the residents of the PALMA+PB areas of Cotabato Province will not travel anymore to Kidapawan City, just to avail of PhilHealth services.
Director Ramos also reaffirmed the steadfast commitment of RDC XII in pushing for more development initiatives in Region XII, especially those providing better services and convenience to the people.
Currently, the PhilHealth office serving the province of Sultan Kudarat is located in the capital town of Isulan which is 175 kilometers from Lebak, while that for the Province of Cotabato is in Kidapawan City which is 78 kilometers from Midsayap. Once these offices become operational, PhilHealth Lebak is expected to serve also the people from the nearby towns of Palimbang, Kalamansig, and as well as of the neighboring towns of Datu Blah Sinsuat, Upi, and South Upi in Maguindanao.
Meanwhile PhilHealth Midsayap shall primarily serve the PALMA+PB areas of the Province of Cotabato composed of the municipalities of Pigcawayan, Alamada, Libungan, Midsayap, Aleosan, Pikit, and Banisilan.
The meeting was presided by RDC XII-MEDAFC Chairperson Ronan Eugene Garcia who recommended that the services of PhilHealth Express Offices should be available every working day.
He pointed out the vital role of PhilHealth services to the people, thus, there should be PhilHealth personnel available all the time in the proposed PhilHealth Express Offices to accommodate the public.
Among the attendees were Assistant Regional Director Carmel Matabang of NEDA XII; Dagoroan Macarambon and Al Danieles of PhilHealth; Councilors Blesilda delos Santos, Florencio Apang, and Rosalito delos Reyes, and Rural Health Unit officer Dr. Amalio Castillion of the Municipality of Lebak; and Mr. James Domini Labiano of the Provincial Government of Cotabato.(Jal P. Octavio/NEDA XII)
