by Jan Albert K. Araña

Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) region 10 inked memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)-10, April 8, to strengthen its anti-fraud campaign.

“Ang MOA signing ay isang hudyat na ang Philippine Health Insurance Region 10 ay desidido, seryoso sa pag-implement ng universal health care sa northern Mindanao," said Delio Aseron II, regional vice president of PhilHealth PRO-10.

(The MOA signing is the signal that the Philippine Health Insurance Region 10 is determined, and serious in implementing universal health care in northern Mindanao)

The MOA is in response to the agency’s commitment to protect the interest of its members and stakeholders and make sure remitted funds are used properly and not exploited by those who want to take advantage of the national health insurance fund.  

“We would like to protect the hard earned money remitted by our members and stakeholders. We will not allow it to be abused ng iilan na nais mag samantala sa ating mga programa at sa mga polisiyang may maaring kahinaan at kailangan pang palakasin ng PhilHealth (by some who wants to take advantage of our program and policies that may have weaknesses and need to be strengthened by PhilHealth),” Aseron added.

The partnership with the National Bureau of Investigation is a way for the agency to strengthen its investigative capacity so that those who violated the program will be properly investigated and uncovered.

“With this MOA, rest assured that the NBI will be working hand-in-hand with PhilHealth in the investigation of these criminal acts especially frauds and online frauds committed by some scrupulous individuals,” said Lawyer Patricio S. Bernales, Jr., NBI-10 regional director.

PhilHealth also warned those who are thinking to exploit or take advantage of the program that they will run after them and apply the full due process of the law. They also encouraged the public not to patronize fixers on social media for data privacy. (JAKA/PIA-10)

Officials of Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth)-10 and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)-10 sign the anti-fraud memorandum of agreement, April 8. (JAKA/PIA-10)