The city government, on orders of Mayor Herbert Bautista, sponsored this year's enrollment of some 80,000 families or 400,000 underprivileged QC residents to the sponsored program component of the National Health Insurance Program as part of a continuing effort to provide indigent QC residents access to quality medical and health care services.

Philhealth President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Eduardo Banzon turns over the symbolic Philhealth Card
to one of the sponsored beneficiaries as Mayor Herbert Bautista together with Philhealth and QC officials look on

Given an enrolment rate of P1,200 per family, at least P96 million will be set aside by the QC government to cover the Philhealth enrollment of the 80,000 beneficiaries, which include tricycle drivers, former barangay officials, solo parents and persons with disabilities.

"The city government is no longer focusing on the costing perspective. What is being considered will be the number of residents who will benefit from the program," according to the Mayor.

Mayor Herbert M. Bautista signing the Memorandum of Agreement with Philhealth President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Eduardo Banzon.
Also Present were (L-R)Philhealth officials Ms. Lolita V. Tuliano, Branch Manager -NCR Central; Ms. Shirley B. Domingo, VP - PRO NCR & Rizal; Mr. Ryan John A. Basa,
Area VP NCR & Southern Luzon; QC officials SSDD Head, Ms. Ma. Teresa M. Mariano, QC Helath Officer, Dr. Antonieta V. Inumerable and Budget Officer, Ms. Marian C. Orayani

The Mayor made the disclosure during the signing of a memorandum of agreement with Philhealth president and chief executive officer Dr. Eduardo Banzon for the renewal of commitment between the QC government and Philhealth in providing QC residents access to quality health care services.

In his remarks, Dr. Banzon lauded the Bautista administration for supporting Philhealth in its thrust to achieve its universal medical insurance coverage target.

According to Philhealth officials, Quezon City leads local government units in the number of beneficiaries enrolled to the Philhealth-sponsored program.

The city's social services development department, headed by Ms. Teresa Mariano, coordinates with Philhealth for the enrolment program.

Philhealth officials turned over to Mayor Bautista a capitation fund amounting to P15.7 million which will be used for the delivery of out-patient health care services and rehabilitation and improvement of accredited Philhealth-facilities in the city.

Philhealth has already provided accreditation to Quezon City's 63 health centers and seven lying-in centers.

Pursuant to the National Health Insurance Act of 1995, all Filipino citizens are required to enroll in the National Health Insurance Program.