PhilHealth and MMDA unveil “Payong ng Kapanatagan” mural along EDSA to celebrate public service and health protection

by Info @Brand Zone | May 8, 2025

PhilHealth

Thirty years of protecting Filipinos' health took center stage along EDSA's southbound lane as the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), in partnership with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and Boysen Philippines unveiled a 300-meter mural titled “Payong ng Kapanatagan.” 

The "Payong" (umbrella) is symbolic of PhilHealth’s role in Universal Health Care. Like an umbrella shielding us from the sun or rain, PhilHealth provides protection to Filipinos against unexpected and often costly medical treatment.  The Payong demonstrates the commitment of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to safeguard the health needs of every Filipino.

“This artwork is more than just a painting on the wall. It is a tribute to the power of compassion and service, and a visual reminder that health is not only a personal responsibility, but a collective mission,” said MMDA Chairman Atty. Romando S. Artes.

The mural serves to illustrate PhilHealth’s commitment to provide every Filipino with peace of mind through adequate financial access to healthcare anytime and anywhere in the country, regardless of their station in life.

“Ito po ang kahulugan ng PhilHealth sa buhay nating lahat – napoprotektahan tayo laban sa mabigat na gastusin tuwing tayo’y nagkakasakit, at nagkakaroon tayo ng agarang access sa serbisyong medikal sa oras ng ating pangangailangan,” said PhilHealth Acting President and CEO Dr. Edwin M. Mercado. “Gaya ng payong, ang PhilHealth ay laging kasama natin sa bawat hakbang ng ating buhay.”

Visible to thousands of daily commuters, the mural also stands as a reminder of our shared commitment and responsibility in ensuring that health care services remain within reach, especially of the poor, the marginalized, and vulnerable sectors of the society.

For information on PhilHealth benefits, members may call PhilHealth’s touch points at (02) 866-225-88 or at mobile numbers (Smart) 0998-8572957, 0968-8654670, (Globe) 0917-1275987 or 0917-1109812. ###

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PGH Receives Php 22.8 Million from PhilHealth for Heart Attack Patients

by Info @Brand Zone | Apr. 14, 2025

PhilHealth PGH Check Turnover

Over Php 22.8 million was handed over to the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) last April 11, 2025. This was payment for the initial batch of claims for PhilHealth’s benefit package for Ischemic Heart Disease - Acute Myocardial Infarction (IHD-AMI), a disease commonly known as heart attack. Just three months after its enhancement, the package has been beneficial for at least 77 claims for heart attack patients seen at the PGH as of March 2025. 

PGH Medical Director Dr. Gerardo D. Legaspi was present to receive the check from PhilHealth Acting President and CEO Dr. Edwin M. Mercado during the simple ceremonial turnover at the PGH. “Sa ibinigay pong pagkakataon na ma-improve ang service to heart attack patients, record high ang ating serbisyo — wala na pong charity na heart attack patient ngayon. Iyan ang improvement na gusto nating makita. And I think with this current administration of PhilHealth, we will be seeing more of that,” remarked Dr. Legaspi. He also recognized the unwavering support of the PhilHealth Regional Office – NCR, led by Dr. Bernadette Lico who was similarly present at the event, in ensuring that PGH patients appropriately receive the financial risk protection afforded to them by PhilHealth. 

Present as well were some of the patients and their families who were beneficiaries of the package —one of whom was Mrs. Juvy B. Busayong, wife of patient Jose Busayong from Calamba City, Laguna. “At first, hesitant kami kasi alam naman natin kapag narinig natin angiogram expected na natin na expensive,” she testified, “pero one of the doctors nagsabing may package na ang PhilHealth at wala na kaming babayaran. Siyempre, natuwa kami! Napakalaking pribilehiyo na kami ay makatanggap ng ganoong package. Gusto naming magpasalamat sa PhilHealth sa package na ibinigay dito sa amin. Sana po ay marami pa kayong matulungan at marami pang buhay ang ma-save.”

Meanwhile, Dr. Mercado reiterates PhilHealth’s commitment in bringing life-saving health services closer to every Filipino by ensuring prompt claims reimbursements to more hospitals. 

“Ang P22.8 milyong bayad na ito sa PGH ay simula pa lamang. Kami ay iikot pa sa iba’t ibang mga rehiyon para ating personal na tiyakin ang mabilis na pagpoproseso at pagbabayad ng claims para sa mga serbisyong ipinagkaloob ng ating mga ospital sa mga miyembrong may sakit sa puso," Dr. Mercado affirmed.  

The IHD-AMI benefit package offers coverage up to Php 523,853 which can be availed at all accredited Levels 1 to 3 public and private health facilities with the capacity to deliver the necessary services.

For more information on the enhanced Ischemic Heart Disease - Acute Myocardial Infarction package, members may call PhilHealth’s 24/7 touch points at (02) 866-225-88 or at mobile numbers (Smart) 0998-857-2957, 0968-865-4670, (Globe) 0917-1275987 or 0917-1109812. ###

In photo are (L-R) PhilHealth VP for NCR Dr. Bernadette Lico, Dr. Mercado, AMI beneficiaries  Jose Brozo, Juvy Busayong (wife of patient Jose Busayong), Dennis Garcia, PGH Medical Director Dr. Legaspi and Deputy Director Dr. Margarita Lat-Luna. 

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In Case You Missed It: PhilHealth Animal Bite Package covers PHP 5,850 for services against highly fatal rabies

by Info @Brand Zone | Mar. 19, 2025

PhilHealth PR No. 2025-16 March 18, 2025

The Department of Health announced that for the year 2024, all 426 recorded rabies cases resulted in deaths. Forty-five percent (193) of these were bites from domestic pets, and of  that percentage, more than half were of unknown vaccination status.  

“Hinihikayat natin ang ating mga miyembro na huwag mag-atubiling magpatingin kung sila ay  kinagat o di kaya’y kinalmot ng hayop, alaga man o hindi. Ang rabies ay isang lubhang  nakamamatay na sakit ngunit maaari itong maiwasan kung agarang mabibigyan ng bakuna,”  said Dr. Edwin M. Mercado, PhilHealth President and CEO.  

Rabies remains to be a significant global health threat, causing 60,000 to 70,000 reported deaths annually. The Philippines ranks sixth among countries with the highest rabies incidence. In fact, from January 1 to March 1 of this year, 55 rabies cases have been tallied.  

In recognition of the burden of rabies in the country this National Rabies Awareness Month, PhilHealth reiterates that there is a benefit package that members could avail to cover for services against rabies. The Animal Bite Treatment (ABT) package, which has been  increased to P5,850 from the previous P3,000, covers essential post-exposure prophylaxis including rabies vaccine and rabies immune globulin for immediate protection, local wound  care, tetanus toxoid and anti-tetanus serum, antibiotics, and supplies which include syringes,  alcohol and antiseptics.  

“Kami sa PhilHealth ay nakikiisa sa National Rabies Prevention and Control Committee sa  kanilang kampanyang rabies-free na pusa’t aso, kaligtasan ng pamilyang Pilipino. Ang ABT  Package ay maaaring makuha sa higit 700 accredited ABT Package Providers sa bansa, at  patuloy pa natin itong dinadagdagan. Gayunpaman, pinaaalalahanan natin ang publiko na  ang unang hakbang sa pag-iwas sa rabies ay ang pagpapabakuna ng ating mga alagang  hayop. Let us all be responsible pet owners,” added Dr. Mercado. 

For more details on anti-rabies benefits and other packages, members may call PhilHealth’s  24/7 touch points at (02) 866-225-88 or at mobile numbers (Smart) 0998-857-2957, 0968- 865-4670, (Globe) 0917-1275987 or 0917-1109812.  

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