In photo are (Standing, L-R) PhilHealth Acting VP for Corporate Affairs Rey Baleña; PIA-NCR Asst. Regional Director Alice Sicat; Regional Dir. Emver Cortez; Deputy Dir. Gen. Katherine Chloe De Castro; Deputy Dir. Gen. Adolfo Ares Gutierrez; PhilHealth Corporate Legal Counsel Atty. Mauro Anthony Cabading; Head Executive Asst. Joan Madarieta; PhilHealth NCR Public Affairs Unit Head Raymond Edwin Acoba; International and Local Engagement Dept. Acting Senior Manager Leilani Mae Formadero; NCR Central Branch Manager Atty Rex Panti; (Seated L-R) PIA Dir. Gen. Torres, Jr.; PCEO Ledesma, Jr. and NCR Vice President Dr. Bernadette Lico. (Photo: PhilHealth)
QUEZON CITY, (PIA) — The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on [date] to ramp up promotion of PhilHealth’s Konsulta Package, aiming to reach Filipinos nationwide, particularly in remote areas.
Konsulta, or Konsultasyong Sulit at Tama, is PhilHealth’s expanded primary care benefit. It covers free consultations, health screenings and assessments, and any of the 15 laboratory tests and 21 medicines as prescribed by a chosen Konsulta Package provider.
“The Konsulta Package addresses existing health concerns and emerging diseases that could lead to financial hardship if left untreated,” emphasized PhilHealth President and CEO Emmanuel R. Ledesma, Jr. during the signing ceremony.
Both agencies aim to fulfill their shared responsibility under the Universal Health Care Law to promote Konsulta and other PhilHealth benefits.
This partnership aligns with the government’s initiative to strengthen primary care delivery under the program “Pinalawak at mga Bagong Benepisyo para sa Mamamayang Filipino” (Expanded and New Benefits for Filipino Citizens).
Ledesma expressed gratitude to PIA Director General Jose A. Torres, Jr., highlighting the collaboration’s impact on information dissemination. “We’re excited about this partnership as it will significantly boost our information campaign with the help of PIA’s national network.”
The MoU outlines joint efforts, including PhilHealth’s collaboration with PIA for on-site Konsulta beneficiary registration and providing updated information to the public.
Additionally, the agreement covers:
- Registering PIA employees and their dependents for Konsulta
- Promoting Konsulta through PIA’s social media platforms, newsletters, and instructional materials
Torres pledged unwavering support for PhilHealth campaigns, emphasizing the importance of raising awareness and understanding of social health insurance among PIA employees.
“We believe expanding our public information campaign nationwide is crucial to helping Filipinos in remote areas,” he added.
Highlighting PIA’s extensive network as vital for Konsulta’s accessibility, Ledesma announced upcoming program improvements.
“The current list of 21 free medicines will soon expand to 53 under PhilHealth’s Guaranteed and Accessible Medications for Outpatient Treatment (GAMOT) program. Additionally, ultrasound and mammograms will be included for early breast cancer detection in women,” he concluded. (PIA-NCR)
