PhilHealth CEO explains move to reassign execs

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) yesterday said that its board approved the reassignment of executives to assure uninterrupted service to millions of clients.

PhilHealth president and CEO Dr. Rey B. Aquino said he issued a special order that took effect last Jan. 8, adding that the reorganization is not covered by the election ban.

“There have been several vacancies at management level of the organization as a result of the retirement and promotion of some of the key executives. As such there was a need to fill these voids to ensure continued and uninterrupted service to our millions of clients,” Aquino pointed out.

The president of the largest health insurance firm added that most of the re-assigned officers have been in their posts for the past five, 10 or 11 years already, and “it is about time that they be given even more challenging roles in the corporation to further hone their managerial skills.”

He stressed that the re-assignment was meant to further beef up organizational efficiency especially its emphasis on exceeding the expectations of its clients.

Aquino clarified that the law department of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) while it issued an initial opinion on the possible violation of the election ban, also emphasized that the department’s opinion was not binding to PhilHealth.

“The Comelec law department further stated that the pending matter is still up to the Comelec en banc to issue the final decision on the same. Hence, whatever speculations or interpretations that may be entertained on the matter are premature, if not prejudicial,” Aquino stressed.

PhilHealth has been cited for achieving “universal coverage” since it has insured 85 percent of the entire Philippine population.

The corporation covers the hospital and hospital-related expenses of PhilHealth members including their direct dependents.