AGRI, PhilHealth boost health access to farmers, fishers

MANILA – The AGRI Party-list and the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) have entered into a partnership to boost information dissemination efforts on the health benefits for farmers, fisherfolk, and all Filipinos nationwide.

According to a news release issued Tuesday, the memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed by AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee and PhilHealth president and CEO Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. at the St. Luke Medical Center in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City on Monday.

The MOU seeks to strengthen collaboration in providing more access to health care services and benefits provided by the state health insurer to all Filipinos, especially agricultural workers.

This partnership will also intensify the implementation of the Konsulta program in the agricultural sector.

“As I always say, ‘Filipinos deserve better, and we should demand better.’ We are now elevating our efforts to inform our countrymen about the health services and benefits available to them,” Lee said in a statement.

“The commitment outlined in our MOU boosts our information dissemination efforts through various platforms, programs, and projects we have. We declare our unwavering dedication to equip our farmers, fisherfolk, agricultural workforce, and every Filipino with the right knowledge about the health benefits they are entitled to.”

Ledesma, meanwhile, said the partnership would enable PhilHealth to further strengthen its information dissemination campaign for all members, “especially those in the agriculture sector whose hard work sustains our nation’s progress.”

“The platform that will be provided by the AGRI Party-list will be one of the primary sources of information for our kababayans (countrymen), which will greatly help us in our efforts to circulate relevant and updated information on PhilHealth’s benefits and services through all possible avenues.”

Lee said the signing of the MOU is only the beginning of a long and meaningful partnership with PhilHealth to improve the country’s health care sector.

He said AGRI would exert all efforts to inform all Filipinos about the programs and services offered by PhilHealth.

“Paano mapapakinabangan ng mga Pilipino ang mga benepisyong pangkalusugan ng ahensya kung hindi nila alam ang mga ito? Dapat alam ng lahat, dahil lahat tayo, may karapatan sa maayos at de-kalidad na serbisyong pangkalusugan. Mayaman man o mahirap, may karapatang mabuhay (How will Filipinos avail of the health benefits provided by the agency if they don’t know what they are? Everyone should know because all of us are entitled to effective and quality health services. Rich or poor alike have the right to live),” Lee said.

“Magtulungan po tayo upang maipagkaloob sa mga Pilipino ang de-kalidad, abot-kaya, mapagmalasakit, at may pusong health care service. Tuloy-tuloy po ang ating bayanihan tungo sa isang malusog, maunlad at makatarungang lipunan (Let us work together to provide quality, affordable, caring, and heartfelt health services to Filipinos. Let’s be united and continue to cooperate for a healthy, prosperous, and just society).” (PNA)