Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) formally launched Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program recently.

The partnership calls for the provision of health care for more than five million households identified as poor based on the National Household Targeting System (NHTS) and the beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.

The signing of the Joint Order was attended by Dr. Eduardo P. Banzon, president and chief executive officer of PhilHealth, and Cabinet Secretaries of DSWD and Department of Health (DOH), Corazon Juliano-Soliman and Dr. Enrique T. Ona, respectively.

“With the inclusion of health insurance as added benefit, PhilHealth’s support to this program essentially adds another P to the 4Ps which stands for PhilHealth (supports) Pantawid Pamilya,” said Dr. Banzon.

He further added that the move promotes the government’s Universal Health Care program that brings back dignity to our marginalized fellowmen.

Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries shall be afforded with PhilHealth coverage as Sponsored Members wholly financed by tax money and which is valid until December 2013. They will be issued their Member Data Record and PhilHealth Identification Number that  will serve as their pass when availing of health care benefits at any accredited hospitals in the country.

Secretary Soliman said that the Joint Order is another milestone in the partnership for the implementation of the Pantawid Pamilya.

The partnership will also ensure that the beneficiaries receive appropriate and immediate medical care and attention without having to worry about financial constraints.

Secretary Soliman said, “This revitalized partnership again seals our unwavering commitment to improve the conditions of poor families particularly the children so they are provided with equal opportunities for growth and development.”