In an effort to boost information dissemination efforts on the health benefits for farmers, fisherfolk, and all Filipinos nationwide, AGRI Party-list represented by Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee entered into a partnership with the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) led by President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Emmanuel Ledesma, Jr. 

In a ceremony held in Taguig City on Monday, 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.’ Patunay ang MOU na ito na hindi tayo puro salita, kundi seryoso talaga tayo sa mga ipinaglalaban natin. Today we elevate our efforts to inform our countrymen about the health services and benefits available to them,” Lee said during the program. 

“The commitment outlined in our Memorandum of Understanding 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. 

For his part, PCEO Ledesma said: “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.”

“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,” the PhilHealth Chief added. 

It can be recalled that Lee, a staunch health advocate, aggressively pushed for the 30% increase in PhilHealth benefits after revealing during the Department of Health (DOH) budget hearing last September 2023 that the state health insurer had P466 billion investible funds and P68.4 billion net income, aside from the more than P100 billion government subsidy every year.

The 30% increase in PhilHealth benefit packages took effect on February 14.

“Kaya nagpapasalamat tayo sa PhilHealth sa pangunguna ni PCEO Mandy Ledesma sa pakikinig sa ating mga panawagan o pangungulit,” Lee remarked.

“Pero alam natin na hindi natatapos sa pagdaragdag ng mga health benefits ang ating trabaho. Dapat mabigyan ng  access dito ang ating mga kababayan. Dahil paano mapapakinabangan ng mga Pilipino ang mga benepisyong pangkalusugan ng ahensya kung hindi nila alam ang mga ito?” he asked.

During the signing ceremony, the solon from Bicol underscored the importance of addressing the health concerns of Filipinos. 

“Sa pag-iikot natin sa buong bansa, bukod sa pagkain, kalusugan po ang dinadaing sa atin ng ating mga kababayan, na nahihirapan silang makatulog sa gabi dahil sa takot o pangamba na kapag may nagkasakit sa pamilya nila, wala silang pambili ng gamot, wala silang pambayad sa ospital, hindi sila makapagtrabaho. Natatakot sila na baka tuluyang mabaon sa utang at kahirapan, at wala nang pag-asang makaahon sa hirap ng buhay,” he pointed out.

“Bawat impormasyon, programa, at mga pagbabago sa serbisyo ng PhilHealth ay sisikapin nating maiparating sa bawat Pilipino at sa lahat ng dako ng Pilipinas. Walang maiiwan, dapat alam ng lahat. Dahil lahat tayo, may karapatan sa maayos at de-kalidad na serbisyong pangkalusugan. Mayaman man o mahirap, may karapatang mabuhay,” he added. 

The signing of MOU, for Lee, is only the beginning of a long and meaningful partnership with PhilHealth to improve the country’s healthcare sector.  

“Magtulungan po tayo upang maipagkaloob sa mga Pilipino ang de-kalidad, abot-kaya, mapagmalasakit, at may pusong healthcare service para mabura ang pangamba ng mga Pilipino na lalo silang malulubog sa kahirapan kapag nagkasakit dahil walang pambili ng gamot o pambayad sa ospital. Kasabay nito ang pagsisikap natin para isulong ang tiyak na trabaho, dagdag na kita, at ang sapat at murang pagkain,” he said.

“Tuloy-tuloy po ang ating bayanihan tungo sa isang malusog, maunlad at makatarungang lipunan kung saan Winner Tayo Lahat!” the solon added.