Kudos to PhilHealth

This refers to Randy David’s column titled “Humanizing the bureaucracy” (Opinion, 8/31/2014).

I fully agree with him: PhilHealth extends its “bureaucratic” public service in a humane and professional manner. Kudos to PhilHealth!

During an early morning coffee session with a former officemate (now retired) after a “morning walk,” he told me that he was able to avail himself of PhilHealth benefits using his PhilHealth ID card as a lifetime member. Because of this story and as a “retiree” myself, I decided to apply for a PhilHealth ID card. Bringing with me an ID photo which I attached to a duly accomplished PhilHealth ID application form, I was able to get my ID card at its Makati office in “less than one hour!” In my observation, what led to the expeditious issuance of my ID card was that PhilHealth has formulated very clear and simple rules, criteria and systems for the processing of PhilHealth ID cards. To top it all, the processors (the staff) were very courteous, pleasant, accommodating and competent—traits that make for a “humane and professional” public service.

Further, in April 28, 2014, I underwent my third colonoscopy operation at FortMed Medical Clinics Makati. This paved the way for me to use my PhilHealth Lifetime Member’s Card. To my surprise, I noticed that PhilHealth assumed 35.5 percent of the total cost of my operation. Still, another surprise was that despite my not having been confined (for at least 24 hours) in that clinic, I was still able to avail myself of PhilHealth benefits.

Why am I sharing this testimony on PhilHealth’s type of “humane and professional” public service now? Simple. I just felt that I have the “obligation” to do this so that those who have experienced or witnessed similar “humane and professional” public service in the other public offices would somehow share the same, for people to regain their trust and confidence in our “bureaucracy” and, thus, inspire and motivate our public officials/employees to deliver “humane and professional” public service.

I hope this testimony would further encourage our countrymen to know the various socioeconomic laws and avail themselves of their benefits.

Finally, I had the chance to also share part of this testimony/commendation (during an open forum) with the guests and participants of the 2nd Ecop Members’ General Meeting on “Maximizing Social Protection to the Filipino Workforce” last Aug. 29, 2014 at the St. Luke’s Auditorium, Global City, Taguig, where Alexander A. Padilla, PhilHealth president, was one of the resource speakers.

—EMILIANO M. MANAHAN JR.,

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