LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Three Philippine Health Insurance (PhilHealth) buildings are set to be constructed to provide better access to social health insurance for Cordillerans, as announced by Dr. Dominga Gadgad, the Regional Vice President, on February 11.
The Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas forum revealed that a proposed building will be established in Bontoc, Mountain Province, alongside; a budget proposal for a 242-square-meter facility in Lagawe, Ifugao, and an ongoing construction project in a 2,000-square-meter lot in Luna, Apayao are all in place.
As of 2024, there are approximately 850,000 insured individuals in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), which still represents less than half of CAR’s total population. Dr. Gadgad identified that geographical access to available PhilHealth partners and institutions pose a challenge for people in rural areas to obtain health insurance benefits. However, with the construction of new facilities underway, PhilHealth remains focused to its goal of increasing registered health insurance members this year.
Imelda Cristeta Villamar, PhilHealth-CAR’s Field Operations Division Chief, reported that they were able to identify communities that have difficulty in accessing health services. She stated,” Tayo na po ang lalapit sa mga tao para i-miyembro sila at i-inform ng mga programs natin.” (We will be the ones reaching out to people to give them membership opportunities and inform them of our programs.)
As of 2024, the region boasts 233 accredited health facilities, just one more than the total from 2023. The addition of these three establishments, along with the aid of the internet and a developing database, is expected to help further reduce the number of people who are still not covered by insurance, easing the financial burden of medical expenses in the region. By Aiyra Marzan
