At least 1,000 indigents from Candon City were expected to have enrolled under the universal health care program of President Benigno S. Aquino III during the simultaneous nationwide PhilHealth registration held here and in various parts of the country Saturday.
Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) provincial chief Dr. Helen Tobias said the mass registration was held at the Candon Civic Center.
“This was just a one day event called as ‘PhilHealth Sabado’ and was the first national PhilHealth registration day at different designated areas nationwide,” she said.
According to Tobias, Candon City was chosen as the venue for the simultaneous nationwide PhilHealth registration considering the all-out support of the local government unit to the PhilHealth care program.
At present, Candon City, through the leadership of Mayor Allen G. Singson, is sponsoring the PhilHealth premiums of at least 2,000 indigent-residents.
On the other hand, the PhilHealth premiums of at least 30,000 indigents from the second district of Ilocos Sur are being continuously sponsored by Congressman Eric “Owen” G. Singson.
These 30,000 indigents were first enrolled and sponsored by former Congressman Eric D. Singson, the incumbent congressman’s father.
Tobias said during the simultaneous nationwide PhilHealth registration that all PhilHealth non-members in the informal sector were enjoined to enroll and were required to pay at least P300 per quarter contribution or P1,200 for one year.
“All qualified indigent Filipinos nationwide will be registered and their annual premiums will be shouldered by national or local government and other sponsors,” Tobias said.
Reports from the Department of Health (DOH), the lead agency in the nationwide PhilHealth registration, revealed that out of the 4.1 million Filipinos assessed as “true indigents,” 220,925 are from the four provinces in Region 1. (PNA)