Dipolog City (29 September) -- All is set for the Nationwide PhilHealth Registration Day (NPRD) on Oct. 2 in ten different registration sites in the Region 9.

Dubbed as "PhilHealth Sabado, Magseguro. Magparehistro," this whole day event aims to increase public awareness about PhilHealth member's benefits, rights and responsibilities and to encourage and facilitate the registration and membership of those who are not yet covered by the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP).

The Department of Health (DOH) will spearhead the activity in partnership with the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and League of Cities of the Philippines, League of Provinces of the Philippines and League of Municipalities of the Philippines.

About P500 million has been allocated for the enrollment of indigent families listed under the National Household Targeting System (NHTS) of the DSWD. Those poor families that are not in the NHTS list, however, are advised to fill out registration forms which will be endorsed to the DSWD for evaluation.

Moreover, those who are not yet PhilHealth members but who have the financial means to pay for their premium contributions are also enjoined to register on Saturday under the Individually Paying Program. Prospective registrants under this program must bring along birth certificate or any valid ID card and P300.00 for self-employed individuals or P600.00 for self-employed professionals as initial one - quarter premium payment.

Retirees and pensioners who are 60 years old and above may also visit the registration sites and enroll under the Lifetime Member Program (LMP) by filling out a registration form with their retirement documents that would show that the required number of PhilHealth contributions of at least 120 months has been met.

Legal spouse, children and parents of overseas contract workers (OCW) registered under PhilHealth's overseas workers program may also verify the validity of the membership coverage of their OCW family by presenting proofs of kinship.

Verification and updating of membership records and printing of PhilHealth ID cards and Member Data Record (MDR) will likewise be provided during the activity. Those who wish to declare their legal dependents during the activity must bring with them copies of the required supporting documents such as marriage contract and birth certificate.

According to Regional Vice President Romeo D. Alberto of PhilHealth 9, "the NPRD shall be held at the following venues in the region: Zamboanga City - Zamboanga City Medical Center and Paseo del Mar; Zamboanga del Norte - Piñan Municipal Gymnasium and Dipolog City; Zamboanga del Sur - Dumalinao Grand Stand and Margosatubig Regional Hospital; and Zamboanga Sibugay - Tungawan Municipal Gymnasium. PhilHealth Service Offices in Zamboanga City, Pagadian City, Dipolog City and Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay as well the DOH's Center for Health Development in Zamboanga Peninsula will also be opened on October 2 as access points for the event." (PhilHealth 9/PIA-ZN)