(MANILA BULLETIN)

AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee has entered into a partnership with the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) in a bid to improve information dissemination about the health benefits for farmers, fisherfolk, and all Filipinos nationwide.

In a ceremony held in Taguig City on Monday, July 1, Lee signed the memorandum of understanding (MOU) with PhilHealth to strengthen collaboration in providing more access to health services and benefits provided by the state health insurer for agricultural workers and all Filipinos. 

“As I always say, ‘Filipinos deserve better, and we should demand better.’ Today we elevate our efforts to inform our countrymen about the health services and benefits available to them,” Lee, a neophyte in the 19th Congress, said during the program. 

“The commitment outlined in our [MOU] boosts our information dissemination efforts through various platforms, programs and projects we have. We declare our unwavering dedication to equip our farmers, fisherfolk, agricultural workforce, and every Filipino with the right knowledge about the health benefits they are entitled to,” he added. 

Also present was Emmanuel Ledesma, Jr., president and chief executive officer (CEO) of the state health insurer. 

“I am pleased that PhilHealth is forging this partnership with AGRI Party-list at this opportune time as this will enable us to further strengthen our information dissemination campaign for all our members, especially those in the agriculture sector whose hardwork sustains our nation’s progress,” Ledesma said. 

“The platform that will be provided by the AGRI Party-list will be one of the primary sources of information for our kababayans which will greatly help us in our efforts to circulate relevant and updated information on PhilHealth’s benefits and services through all possible avenues,” said the PhilHealth chief. 

It can be recalled that Lee, a staunch health advocate, aggressively pushed for the 30 percent increase in PhilHealth benefits. 

This, after it was revealed during the Department of Health (DOH) budget hearing last September 2023 that the state health insurer had P466 billion in investible funds and a P68.4-billion net income, aside from the more than P100 billion government subsidy every year. 

The 30 percent increase in PhilHealth benefit packages took effect on Feb. 14.