Almost 700 individuals in C. Visayas register with PhilHealth online
By Hazel F. Gloria
CEBU CITY, June 4 (PIA) -- More than three months after the launch of the PhilHealth’s electronic registration system, 689 individuals in Central Visayas have already availed of the online registration facility.
PhilHealth introduced its e-Registration and Amendment System (eRAS) on its 17th anniversary in February as a convenient alternative for enrolling into the National Health Insurance Program.
The online registration program is especially useful for individuals based or assigned in places where the nearest PhilHealth office is still some distance away or those currently based outside the country.
The web-based facility caters to individual transactions and accommodates applications for registration of individually paying members (IPM), Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW), lifetime members and employees.
Use of the system is free of charge, but enrollees must have their own e-mail address to be able to transact. Supporting documents needed to process the application for registration may also be submitted online or sent via post.
Once the registration process is complete, the member’s PhilHealth identification number (PIN), which shall be used for all PhilHealth transactions, will be sent to the member through email.
Interested enrollees may visit the PhilHealth’s official website at www.philhealth.gov.ph. Look for Online Services and then Electronic Registration. Click these options to lead you to the online application form.
Upon submission of the online application form, the registrant will receive an email containing the transaction number and instructions on the next steps to complete the registration process.
If the registrant opts to send supporting documents via post, the email printout should be attached or the transaction number should be written on the supporting documents.
All documents must be received by PhilHealth within 30 days from registering online to complete the application. (FCR/HFG/PIA-7/PhilHealth)
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Metro Cebu Police ready to secure 1st day of classes today
By Fayette C. Ri�en
CEBU CITY, June 4 (PIA) -- With slightly over 150 public and private schools including tertiary college institutions and universities in Cebu City, the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) is strengthening its police visibility in nearby school premises as public schools open today.
P/Supt. Arnel Banzon of the Cebu City Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) said they have covered all schools and that police personnel with security augmentation from the Barangay Peace Action Team (BPAT) are being deployed in every school.
“We are ready to ensure the safety of students as public schools begin their classes today,” said Banzon.
Banzon said there are some policemen assigned at the piers and the Cebu South Bus Terminal with the continuing surge of students’ arrival from nearby provinces.
“Not only are we after their security but the police is always ready to give assistance to our students,” he added.
Banzon said that they are strengthening police visibility to make sure that everything is smooth when classes in both public and college level begin. Tertiary educational institutions are set to open classes next week
In Mandaue City, around 62 police personnel have been deployed today but the number is being augmented by the BPATs as the Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO) is working closely with school authorities on the security aspect.
P/Supt. James Goforth of the MCPO said they have established 46 public assistance centers (PACs), 33 of which are placed in public schools and 13 in private.
“There are 121 schools in Mandaue City; most of which are public schools with 71 and 50 classified as private schools. We are in close coordination with school authorities to ensure the safety of students with school opening in the public level starts today,” said Goforth.
In Lapulapu City, P/Supt. Jonathan Abella declared that police personnel have their own assignment already with regards to their deployment under ’Oplan Balik Eskwela.’
“We are also being augmented by our force multipliers in every barangay to make certain that all would be smooth when public schools open today,” said Abella.
Police beat patrol, mobile patrol and continuous intelligence monitoring are just part of the security measures adopted by all metro police offices to ensure a peaceful opening of classes in all public schools, this is said.
S/Supt. Orlando Ualat, regional chief of the Directorial Staff of the Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 said that based on the Letter of Instruction from Cramp Crame on the ‘Oplan Balik Eskwela’ Program, even during the first week of May, all police offices have been told to draft their security preparations in time for the opening of classes. (PIA-Cebu)
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PAF Chief visits Cebu as part of 65th founding anniversarySays PAF to upgrade its defense capabilities
By Hazel F. Gloria
CEBU CITY, June 4 (PIA) -- Philippine Air Force (PAF) Commanding General Lt. Gen. Lauro Catalino Dela Cruz in a recent visit to Cebu announced that PAF will be acquiring new external defense equipment to upgrade their capabilities.
De la Cruz told the good news during a media interview at the Brigadier General-Benito Ebuen Air Base in Lapu-Lapu City last Friday as the commanding general made a round of visits nationwide as part of the highlights in commemorating the PAF 65th Founding Anniversary next month.
The PAF recommended a P75-billion budget for additional aircraft in order to implement the modernization program, which is spread in a five-year period.
Dela Cruz said they already submitted to Malacañang the list of necessary equipment that needs to be purchased and the first equipment they want to acquire is the air defense radar.
“We will be acquiring other weapon systems and other equipment needed by the PAF,” said Dela Cruz.
At present, the PAF received four new helicopters for use during search and rescue operations and an additional four helicopters will be delivered in November.
For the meantime, the approved purchase was based on the recommendations that include 10 new attack helicopters from France, 21 additional UH-1H utility helicopters to augment the existing utility aircrafts, three medium airlift fixed wing, and 18 trainer aircrafts.
In addition, Dela Cruz also recommended purchasing N-24 Nomads aircraft and two light lift aircrafts to replace the existing F-27 Fokker.
In his message, the PAF Chief encouraged the air force personnel to strengthen their forces and capabilities in protecting the country and create more programs to enhance professionalism and promote the welfare of the soldiers.
On its 65th anniversary, the PAF carries the theme “PAF @ 65th, Bagwis ng Kapayapaan, Tagapagtanggol ng Kalayaan.” (FCR/HFG/PIA-7/PAF)