As part of preparations for the implementation of the Health Care Provider Network (HCPN) Program in Sarangani, the provincial government participated in the Stakeholders’ Forum recently held at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel.
The HCPN is a key aspect of the Department of Health’s (DOH) drive towards the full realization of Republic Act No. 11223, otherwise known as the Universal Health Care Act – a landmark piece of legislation supported by Sarangani Governor Rogelio Pacquiao during his stint in Congress.
The said program will institute major procedural and financial reforms in PhilHealth (PHIC) network contracting, to ensure timely payments to healthcare providers, effective supply chain management, and integration of health information systems.
Sarangani was selected as a Demonstration Site along with the provinces of Laguna, Benguet, and Aklan.
Sarangani was selected as a Demonstration Site along with the provinces of Laguna, Benguet, and Aklan, based on the advanced capacity and health system maturity of these LGUs.
It is expected that the pilot Sites will produce interventions and learnings which will eventually be scaled up nationwide.
Sarangani’s contingent was led by Atty. Genesis Leal, Provincial Local Government Affairs Adviser who represented Gov. Pacquiao, and Provincial Health Officer Dr. Arvin Alejandro.
“We commend the DOH and our partners for developing this two-way approach.”
“We commend the DOH and our partners for developing this two-way approach, wherein stakeholders and public officials become well-informed of how our HCPNs will be formed and how new benefits will be applied, all while simultaneously providing our agencies and partners the much-needed feedback from the ground,” the Governor said in a statement delivered by Atty. Leal.
“We are counting on the assurances of DOH for assistance at every level of the HCPN implementation, and we are confident that our common vision for a healthier nation will power us through,” he added.
In attendance during the Forum were DOH Undersecretary Abdullah Dumama, Jr. and Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo, who both emphasized DOH’s resolve and addressed the concerns of participating LGUs; as well as representatives from PHIC and USAID.
Also present were Regional Director Dr. Aristedes Tan of DOH – SOCCSKSARGEN and Nol Valila of PhilHealth – Sarangani LHIO.
