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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PhilHealth on issues hounding the agency: 'Bugbog na po kami'

PhilHealth on issues hounding the agency: 'Bugbog na po kami'

Published Aug 26, 2021 06:06 pm

“Bugbog na po kami (We're already beat up).”

(HoR)

This was Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dante Gierran's comment on the issues hounding the state health insurer during a hearing at the Lower House on Thursday, Aug. 26.

“I opened my heart, bugbog na po kami (We're already beat up). No less than ‘yan si Dr. Almora nag so-sorry po sa akin na he was just overreacting (No less than Dr. Almora apologized to me, saying he was just overreacting),” Gierran told the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability when asked about the circular it issued on the temporary suspension of payment claims of healthcare facilities that are “subject of investigation based on credible and verifiable report” by the state health insurer or "other duly authorized government agencies.”

"It's unfair Mr. Chair, na kami lahat ang mali (that's always us who is on the wrong),” Gierran added.

Gierran was referring to President Philippine Hospital Association Dr. Jaime Almora, who was also present during the hearing.

Almora, in an interview with Dobol B TV on Aug. 21, expressed alarm about the PhilHealth Circular No. 2021-0013, saying that it came at a time when hospitals are complaining about the delay in the payment of their COVID claims.

The Philhealth president also clarified that the policy on temporary suspension of payment claims is only for cases that are “suspected or under investigation.”

“It’s part of our judiciary responsibility to be prudent in our disbursement of funds,” Gierran said.

"Sa NBI di ako binubugbog ng komentaryo, dito, nako po...Ginagawa namain ang dapat namin gawin, walang element of mistrust dito. That's just a normal process (In the NBI, I was never beaten up with criticisms, here, it's the other way around...We're just doing what we're supposed to do, there's no element of mistrust here)," he added.

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