CEBU CITY, January 17 (PIA) – The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) opened its 7th Express Office in Central Visayas in Lapu-Lapu City to make basic frontline services more accessible to the public.
PhilHealth officials led by Regional Vice President (RVP) Marjorie Cabrieto signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) in December 2024 with SM Prime Holdings. Inc., represented by SM Hypermarket Mall manager Estrella Wamilda.
In collaboration with the SM Management, the Express Office is now accessible at the Hypermarket at the 2nd Level of Pueblo Verde, Mactan Economic Zone II, Kadaugan Avenue, Barangay Basak, Lapu-Lapu City.
PEO SM Hypermarket Lapu-Lapu City is under the supervision of Chief Social Insurance Officer Leonard Castañeda, head of PhilHealth Local Health Insurance Office (LHIO) Mandaue City.
“It has been a standing concern of Philhealth since we have three highly urbanized cities here: Cebu, Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu. But for the longest time, Lapu-Lapu City does not have its own office,” said Castañeda.
“We have always wanted to open an office there, even a local health insurance office but this time, it is an express office so it’s a big step already, two-years in the making,” he continued.
The office opened its doors to the public on Jan. 8, from Monday to Friday at 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The Express Office is open for members not only in Lapu-Lapu City but also in Cordova.
Castañeda said the services available at the Express Office are related to membership, employer registration, updating of Member Data Record (MDR), and printing of ID card and MDR.
For other PhilHealth transactions, such as payment of premium contributions, applying for accreditation, concerns on employer remittances and reports which are not available in the PEOs, members, employers, and other stakeholders are advised to visit the nearest LHIO in their area.
Other PEOs in the region are located at SM City Cebu, SM City Consolacion, Robinsons Fuente and Robinsons Galleria in Cebu City; Robinsons Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental; and in Galleria Luisa, Tagbilaran City, Bohol.
PhilHealth LHIOs in Central Visayas are located in the cities of Cebu, Mandaue, Carcar, and Danao in Cebu province; Tagbilaran City and in Talibon, Bohol; and in the cities of Dumaguete and Bais City, Negros Oriental.
PhilHealth also has one Satellite Office in Siquijor, Siquijor. (HFG/PIA7 with reports from Philhealth)
