PNP Chief tells police to stay focus on work, be neutral on Corona impeachment issue
by Amor Saludar
CEBU CITY December 16 (PIA) --- PNP Chief Gen. Nicanor Bartolome in a visit to Cebu City recently told policemen to focus on their work to maintain peace and order rather than get involve on the impeachment issue of Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona.
Members of the Lower House filed an impeachment complaint against Corona and already elevated the case to the Senate. The hearing of the case will start on January next year.
Bartolome reminded the policemen in Cebu that in case a possible conflict will arise due to the issue, they should detach themselves and remain neutral.
“Just stay focus on your work as the security provider of the country,” Bartolome said.
Bartolome however, said that the present situation of the country today is not a cause for demoralization among the police forces.
In the case of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Bartolome also gave the same advice to the police forces that they remain neutral always and just concentrate on maintaining a peaceful and orderly community without favoring one side.
Bartolome was in Cebu yesterday to lead the inauguration of the newly-constructed P6M building of the Cebu City Police Office Station 2 donated by the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) and the Chong Hua Hospital under the ‘Adopt a Police Station Program.’
The PNP chief was also here to join the Takbo Maharlika headed by Fr. Carmelo Diola.
Joining Bartolome were PNP-7 Regional Police Director C/Supt. Marcelo Garbo and the different provincial and city police directors in Central Visayas. (FCR/AS/PIA-CEBU)
===========
Cebu City LGU to rename avenue in honor of Pope John Paul II
by Amor Saludar
CEBU CITY December 16 (PIA) --- A Cebu City ordinance proposed to rename the Juan Luna Avenue in Mabolo into Pope John Paul II Avenue in honor of the late Pope.
City Councilor Edgardo Labella who authored the proposed ordinance said that it is but right to honor the late Pope who came to Cebu 20 years ago and touched the lives of many Cebuanos. It is also considered as a historical event, he added.
Labella added that the late pontiff’s visit to Cebu was covered by international media putting Cebu City and the Apostolic visit of the Pope in 1981 as a major news story worldwide.
The ordinance was unanimously approved by the council.
Officials of the Cebu Catholic Church supported the move. Msgr. Achilles Dakay, Media Liaison Officer of the Archdiocese of Cebu, and Rev. Father Dan Delos Angeles were also present during the public hearing of the said ordinance.
The two Catholic Church officials in Cebu revealed the adherent support of the Church to the move in honoring the late Pope John Paul II here in the Queen City of the South.
The one kilometer road linking M.J Cuenco Avenue and Archbishop Reyes Avenue was once called San Jose dela Montaña before it was changed to Juan Luna Avenue.
A lot of spiritual establishments can also be found in the area to include the Saint Joseph Parish, Blessed John XXIII Minor Seminary, Seminario Mayor de San Carlos, and San Carlos Seminary College, and the Carmelites Monastery. (FCR/AS/PIA-CEBU)
============
PhilHealth clarifies documents for OFW coverage
by: Hazel F. Gloria
CEBU CITY, December 15 (PIA) --- Individuals applying for health insurance coverage under PhilHealth’s Overseas Workers Program (OWP) must be able to show proof of active status as OFW both upon registration and upon renewal of coverage.
PhilHealth Circular 19-2011 states that OWP covers active land-based OFWs while the sea-based contract workers are generally covered under the Employed Sector Program and the circular itemized supporting documents admissible for OWP registration or renewal.
Per Circular 19, PhilHealth accepts any one of the following (whichever is applicable): valid overseas employment certificate (OEC); valid e-receipt; valid work visa or permit; valid employment contract; valid company ID issued by the employer abroad; certificate of employment from current employer abroad; cash remittance receipt from the member abroad at least two months prior to the date of registration or renewal; other valid certificates or IDs issued to OFWs by a host country (e.g. Soggiorno for Filipinos working in Italy); or any other equivalent proof approved by an authorized PhilHealth officer.
PhilHealth also allows submission of photocopies or scanned copies, as the case may be, of the mentioned documents.
PhilHealth also reiterates that the document submitted must clearly establish that the member is still an OFW, regardless of the number of days left in the validity period stated in therein.
OFWs who are unable to present the necessary supporting documents may instead register under the Individually Paying Program (IPP) and pay the corresponding premium for individually-paying members.
His or her member data shall only be updated under the OWP upon submission of the required supporting document.
PhilHealth has remittance partners overseas. However, if there no remittance centers near the OFW, his/her family members in the Philippines or an authorized representative may register the OFW or renew his/her coverage upon submission of a duly accomplished PhilHealth member registration form (PMRF) or Transaction Form (whichever is applicable) in addition to the requirements needed from the OFW.
Family members include, in this order of priority: the legitimate spouse, children of legal age, parents, siblings, and other relatives.
Authorized representatives who are not family members must bring an authorization letter from the OFW which should state the reason for the grant of authority to sign on his/her behalf and the complete name, address and contact number of the authorized representative.
If the family member or authorized representative transacts on behalf of the OFW for the purpose of member data updating (e.g. declaring dependents, changing civil status), such person must present and submit a photocopy of his/her valid ID with the PMRF and the document(s) supporting the amendment requested.
Family members and authorized representatives may also sign the Claim Form 1 on behalf of the OFW for purposes of benefit availment. However, this authority to sign does not include authority to claim reimbursement cheques.(mbcn/hfg/PIA-7 & Philhealth)