LUCENA CITY, Quezon — More marginalized and vulnerable communities are expected to gain better access to essential health information and services as the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) Regional Office IV-A and the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) strengthened their partnership to expand community-based health information dissemination and support the implementation of Universal Health Care.
The partnership was reinforced during the NAPC–PhilHealth Region IV-A Consultative Meeting held on July 30 at the PhilHealth Regional Office IV-A in Lucena City.
The meeting served as a venue to present the agencies’ Activity Work Plan, formally turn over the notarized Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), and align strategies for strengthening regional coordination in delivering health information and social protection programs across CALABARZON.
The MOU outlines collaborative activities that will enable both agencies to reach underserved sectors through stakeholder engagement, information campaigns, and capacity-building initiatives. By leveraging NAPC’s network of sectoral councils and PhilHealth’s health insurance programs, the partnership seeks to ensure that accurate and timely information reaches communities with limited access to government services.
One of the major initiatives under the partnership is the conduct of a Training of Trainers (TOT) and Capacity Building Activity for NAPC Council Members scheduled in August 2026 in Lucena City.
The training aims to equip council members with a deeper understanding of PhilHealth membership, benefits, and programs, enabling them to serve as community advocates who can guide vulnerable sectors in accessing government healthcare services.
“This partnership reflects our shared commitment to making health information and social protection more accessible to marginalized communities. By empowering our sectoral leaders with the right knowledge, we are strengthening their capacity to connect vulnerable Filipinos with the government services they need,” said NAPC Director III for Administration and Finance Management Service Alexis Lapiz.
On the part of PhilHealth Regional Office IV-A, Acting Regional Vice President Dr. Edwin M. Oriña emphasized that informed communities are better positioned to benefit from the country’s health insurance program.
“Health information is an essential component of Universal Health Care. Through this collaboration with NAPC, we are empowering grassroots leaders to become effective partners in educating their communities about PhilHealth benefits and ensuring that no eligible Filipino is left behind”.
Officials from both agencies said the continuing implementation of the MOU demonstrates their commitment to expanding health information dissemination, strengthening grassroots participation, and making quality healthcare services more accessible to underserved communities.
They added that sustained interagency collaboration remains crucial in advancing Universal Health Care and ensuring that every Filipino, regardless of social or economic status, has greater opportunities to access health services and social protection. (CCM- PIA CALABARZON)