PhilHealth Conducts Social Health Insurance Education Series in Bohol

A group of municipal mayors and health officers from various municipalities in Bohol recently gathered at their Provincial Capitol for the Social Health Insurance Education Series (SHInES) by PhilHealth.

SHInES is an initiative by PhilHealth aimed at promoting universal healthcare coverage. The program is designed to educate target audiences about the key provisions of the National Health Insurance Act, provide updates on PhilHealth policies and benefits, and emphasize the important role of stakeholders in advocating for the National Health Insurance Program.

Atty. Eli Dino E. Santos, PhilHealth’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, expressed his delight at the holding of the SHInES activity in Bohol. He believes that the program will help deepen the understanding of local leaders in the province about Republic Act 11223, or the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act, which was signed into law in 2019.

During the event, Arsenia B. Torres, Senior Manager of PhilHealth’s Social Health Insurance Academy, provided an overview of the country’s Social Health Insurance and updated the audience on the National Health Insurance Program and the key provisions of the UHC Act. Renato L. Limsiaco Jr., Senior Vice President of PhilHealth’s Fund Management Sector, also gave a comprehensive presentation on the Financial Coverage under UHC and the Special Health Fund.

SVP Limsiaco discussed the UHC law’s clear specifications on the role of Local Government Units (LGUs), as reflected in Joint Memorandum Circular 2021-0001. He emphasized the need to establish a Province-wide Health System (PWHS) before the release of the Special Health Fund. Bohol Provincial Administrator Aster Caberte, speaking on behalf of Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado, agreed that the province needed to establish a network to work effectively with local government executives.

Several mayors and vice mayors from Bohol’s local government units participated in the activity. PhilHealth VII Regional Vice President Marjorie Cabrieto stressed the importance of SHInES to local chief executives, as they are key drivers of the Universal Health Care. She believes that the program is the best way to turn local leaders into advocates for the PhilHealth programs.