PhilHealth inaugurates business center in Lanao Norte

MindanaoToday.com | PhilHealth inaugurates business center in Lanao Norte

By: Lou Ellen L. Antonio

TUBOD, Lanao del Norte — The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) opened a business center in Tubod on February 18, marking its 31st anniversary and its shift from operating a desk at the Provincial Health Office to running a facility serving members in the town and nearby municipalities.

From operating a single desk at the Provincial Health Office, PhilHealth now runs a business center intended to expand services for members in Tubod and nearby towns.

PhilHealth Northern Mindanao Regional Vice President Delio A. Aseron II said the facility supports the agency’s goal of improving access to services.

“Halos dumoble po ang ating espasyo para ang mga miyembro natin ay maluwag na makapag-transact sa ating opisina. At ano po ang serbisyong makukuha nila? Of course, information and assistance sa kanilang pag-avail ng benefits sa PhilHealth. At nandiyan din po ang mga membership concerns, and also meron din po tayong over-the-counter collection system na puwede po sila dito magbayad kung sila ay mas malapit dito,” he said.

(Our space has nearly doubled so that our members can transact more comfortably in our office and better access the services available to them. Of course, we provide information and assistance in availing of PhilHealth benefits. We also handle membership concerns, and we now have an over-the-counter collection system where members can pay their contributions here if this location is more convenient for them.)

Aseron said members may now visit the office and seek guidance in selecting their preferred YAKAP Clinic, whether private or government.

Patrick C. Peñaranda, officer-in-charge of the Local Health Insurance Office–Iligan City, urged residents to use the center’s services, including record updates, new registrations, and other membership transactions.

Florife Hermosisima-Pabingwit, supervisor of the PhilHealth Business Center in Tubod and Lala, said the office will serve walk-in clients seeking assistance for hospitalization concerns, record updates, membership registration, and enrollment in the YAKAP Program.

“Ang commitment gyud sa PhilHealth mao man gyud, isang mabilis, patas, at mapagkakatiwalaan nila. So kami dinhi sa PhilHealth Business Center Tubod, Lanao del Norte. Ingon man sa atoa pong usa ka opisina didto, ang PhilHealth Business Center sa Lala nga naa nahimutang sa Maranding, committed gyud ta nga mohatag ug sakto nga serbisyo sa atong mga katawhan,” she said.

(PhilHealth’s commitment is to provide service that is fast, fair, and trustworthy. Here at the PhilHealth Business Center Tubod, Lanao del Norte, as well as at our other office, the PhilHealth Business Center in Lala located in Maranding, we are committed to delivering proper and reliable service to our people.)

Mary Kay Uy, acting head of the Management Services Division of PhilHealth Regional Office-10, said the center is a venue where members can address concerns and complete transactions.

PhilHealth member Reamie Albacia welcomed the opening of the office.

“Akong gusto pasalamatan ang PhilHealth kay dako kaayo kini og tabang, labi na sa ospital, kay dili na kinahanglan mubayad sa hospital,” she said.

(I want to thank PhilHealth because it is a big help, especially in hospitals, as you no longer need to pay for hospital expenses.)

The inauguration aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to strengthen public health services and expand access to government programs. (LELA/PIA-10/Lanao del Norte)

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