SAN JOSE, Antique (PIA) — The Barangay Information Officers (BIO) Network of the municipality of Hamtic initiated a Barangay Information Forum (BIO Forum) with Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth)-Antique at the Liga ng mga Barangay Session Hall in Hamtic town.
Liza Joyce Songcayawon, PhilHealth Antique Social Insurance Assistant and resource speaker during the forum, lauded this initiative as a way of empowering more people in the community through the BIO Network (BION).
Songcayawon discussed the latest update on the programs and services of PhilHealth and encouraged the BIO of the municipality of Hamtic to disseminate the information to their respective barangay constituents.
She discussed the process of registering online and the increase in benefit packages of PhilHealth effective January 2025.
She also shared the PhilHealth Konsulta Package, which offers free check-ups and laboratory tests in the Konsulta service providers in Antique.
PhilHealth emphasized the importance of membership and the contribution of qualified members to ensure sustainable, quality social insurance for all, thus Songcayawon urged everyone to sign up for membership with PhilHealth.
For the part of the Philippine Information Agency, Government Information Center Coordinator Pilar Mabaquiao commended the efforts of the barangay secretaries of Hamtic, who are also designated information officers, in organizing the BIO forum.
She noted that the activity is a classic example of community empowerment through grassroots and development communication.
BIO Network president Sheila May Silava and the Association of Barangay Secretaries president Ma. Linde Tayo expressed gratitude for the said forum, noting that the information they learned will be echoed to their constituents.
Municipal Civil Registrar Ramona Mabaquiao and Municipal Local Government Operations Officer Whel Frank Santias also joined the forum and discussed some concerns with the barangay secretaries.
The next BIO forum will be in June with the Pag-IBIG Fund as requested by the BIONs. (AGP/PSM/PIA Antique with reports from JYD/UA intern)
