Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” M. Angara and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) Acting President and CEO Dr. Edwin M. Mercado formalizes partnership to improve the access of students to primary care services through the Konsulta program. (Photo Courtesy of PhilHealth)
For Abegail Bernabela, a high school teacher in Navotas City, the recent partnership between the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) and the Department of Education (DepEd) brings a sense of relief.
Having witnessed, firsthand, her students’ struggles in accessing healthcare service, Teacher Abegail expects this collaboration will lead to better access to quality healthcare services for them.
The partnership, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed on May 8, 2025, aims to ensure that all public school students are registered with PhilHealth, simplifying their access to affordable healthcare.
Teacher Abegail views this initiative as a significant stride toward improving the accessibility of the country’s healthcare system.
“Bilang isang guro, masasabi kong nakalulungkot talaga na makita ang mga estudyante na absent sa klase dahil sa mga isyu sa kalusugan na sana’y naagapan o nagamot agad (As a teacher, I can say that it is truly saddening to see students absent from class due to health issues that could have been prevented or treated immediately),” she said, highlighting the emotional toll of students missing school due to preventable health problems.
A DepEd report shows that the average student in the Philippines misses approximately seven to 10 school days per year due to health-related issues. In Metro Manila, the numbers are even more concerning, with some schools reporting an average of 12 to 15 days of absenteeism per student annually.
“Kapag ang mga estudyante ay absent sa paaralan, nawawalan sila ng mahahalagang oportunidad sa pag-aaral, at mahirap para sa kanila na makasabay sa kanilang mga gawain (When students miss their class, they lose important learning opportunities, and it’s difficult for them to keep up with their schoolwork),” Bernabela explained, emphasizing the impact of absenteeism on students’ academic progress.
The PhilHealth-DepEd partnership directly addresses this issue by streamlining the process for students to register with PhilHealth and access primary care services. The collaboration also aims to transform schools into health-promoting learning environments, with school clinics becoming more efficient providers of primary care.
“Isa itong malaking hakbang para sa ating education system (This is a big step for our education system),” she said, expressing her enthusiasm for the partnership.
“Sa pagpapahalaga natin sa kalusugan at kapakanan ng ating mga estudyante, hindi lamang natin pinagbubuti ang kalidad ng kanilang buhay, kundi pati na rin ang kanilang pagkakataon para sa mas magandang buhay (By prioritizing the health and well-being of our students, we are not only improving the quality of their lives but also their opportunities for a better future).”
The partnership is also anticipated to positively impact students’ families. By registering not only the students but also their families with PhilHealth, the collaboration aims to improve the overall health and well-being of the community.
For Teacher Abegail, the PhilHealth-DepEd partnership is a welcome development that promises a lasting impact on her students’ lives.
“Bilang isang guro, tungkulin ko na siguraduhin na ang aking mga estudyante ay makakukuha ng suporta upang magtagumpay. Sa partnership na ito, mas kumpiyansa ako kaysa dati na tayo ay patungo sa tamang direksyon (As a teacher, it is my duty to ensure that my students receive the support to succeed. With this partnership, I am more confident than ever that we are headed in the right direction),” she said with a smile, expressing her optimism about the partnership’s potential to make a positive difference.
The PhilHealth-DepEd partnership is a significant step towards achieving Universal Health Care in the Philippines.
By ensuring that all public school students have access to quality healthcare, the Marcos administration is setting the stage for a healthier and more productive population. (JMP/PIA-NCR)
