DTI warns sellers of sub-standard MC helmets
By Juju Manubag-Empuerto
CEBU CITY, Dec. 30 (PIA) -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-7) strictly enforces Republic Act 10054 or the Motorcyle Helmet Act and reiterates its warning to sellers of substandard motorcycle helmets.
The DTI enjoins all sellers of motorcycle helmets to get their stocks or supply from manufacturers and importers that have been given the Philippine Standard (PS) license and/or Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) Certificate.
Effective January 2, 2013, motorcycle drivers caught driving without a protective helmet bearing the ICC seal will be issued citation tickets and penalized as stated in the Helmet Act of 2009.
Under Republic Act 10054 or Motorcycle Helmet Act, a new motorcycle helmet which bears the Philippine Standard (PS) mark or Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) of the Bureau of Product Standards (BPS) and complies with the standards set by the BPS shall be made available by every seller and/or dealer every time a new motorcycle unit is purchased and which the purchaser may buy at his option.
Failure of the seller or the dealer to comply with the requirements provided shall be imposed with a fine of not less than P10T but not more than P20T.
Any person who uses, sells and distributes substandard motorcycle helmets or those which do not bear the PS mark or the ICC certificate shall be punished with a fine of not less than P3T for the first offense and P5T for the second offense, without prejudice to other penalties imposed in Republic Act No. 7394 or the “Consumer Act of the Philippines.”
Tampering, alteration, forgery and imitation of the PS marks and the ICC certificates on the helmets shall be punished with a fine of not less than P10T but not more than P20T, also without prejudice to other penalties imposed in Republic Act No. 7394.(mbcn/JSME/PIA-Cebu & DTI-7)
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PhilHealth sets EPRS orientations
By Juju Manubag-Empuerto
CEBU CITY, Dec. 30 (PIA) -- The Collection Section of PhilHealth Regional Office-7 enjoins employers who have not yet adopted the Electronic Premium Reporting System (EPRS) in submitting their monthly remittance reports (RF-1) to attend the orientations set in 2013.
In a telephone interview with the Philippine Information Agency-Cebu, PhilHealth Collection Section staff Ronillie Vidad said the orientations on EPRS are set on January 11, 18, 25, 30; February 1, 8, 22, 28; March 8,15, and 22 at the PhilHealth Training Room, 7th floor of Golden Peak Hotel & Suites, Cebu City.
Vidad said this was emphasized in PhilHealth Circular Nos. 25-2012 and 45-2012, requiring all employers to submit monthly remittance reports (RF-1) using the Electronic Premium Reporting System (EPRS).
EPRS is a web-based application designed for a more convenient preparation and submission of the RF-1, which has been recently enhanced into EPRS Version 2.1 effective October this year.
In line with this, government agencies and business entities that have been enrolled in the EPRS from September to December 31, 2012, and have properly submitted their remittance reports on December 28 through EPRS during the promotion period are qualified to join the "Adopt EPRS and Win-a-Prize promo" event, Vidad said.
In a separate interview, Dina Cinchez, Philhealth’s Public Relations officer said that the ‘Adopt EPRS & Win-A Prize promo is covered by Circular No. 52-2012.
It is an additional incentive given by PhilHealth to employers who actively implement the EPRS as the primary tool in reporting premium contributions, Cinchez stated.
Cinchez added the winners of this promo will get cash prizes of P50T for first prize, P30T for second and 20T for the third prize, subject to applicable tax regulations. (mbcn/JSME/PIA-Cebu & Philhealth)
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PhilHealth urges employers to use e-premium reporting system
By Hazel F. Gloria
CEBU CITY, Dec. 30 (PIA) -- PhilHealth emphasizes that all employers are mandated to submit their monthly remittance reports (RF-1) using the Electronic Premium Reporting System (EPRS).
Through Circular No. 25-2012 and 45-2012, EPRS is a web-based application designed for a more convenient preparation and submission of the RF-1, which has been recently enhanced into EPRS Version 2.1 effective October 2012.
According to PhilHealth-7 the new version has added features such as the Preliminary Employees Premium Remittance List (PEPRL) which allows the employer to verify the correctness of the employee contributions list for the current month.
It also includes the Statement of Premium Account (SPA) generation where employers can make a statement of total premium payable to PhilHealth which may be used as basis for voucher and check preparation.
And since the required PhilHealth Premium Payment Slip is already included in the SPA, employers need not fill in a separate payment form.
The enhanced EPRS can now accept posting of premium contribution remitted through PhilHealth-accredited collecting banks and agents, it is learned.
With this developments, government agencies and business entities that have been enrolled in the EPRS from September to December 31, 2012, and have properly submitted their remittance reports through EPRS during the promotion period are qualified to join the Adopt EPRS and Win-a-Prize promo.
This is an additional incentive given by PhilHealth to employers who actively implement the EPRS as their primary tool in reporting their premium contributions.
Winners will get cash prizes subject to applicable tax regulations.
The Collection Section of PhilHealth Regional Office 7 enjoins employers who have not yet adopted the EPRS to attend the orientation set on January 11, 18, 25, 30; February 1, 8, 22, 28; March 8,15, and 22 to be held at the PhilHealth Training Room, 7th floor of Golden Peak Hotel & Suites, Cebu City.
For reservations on the orientation, employers may call the Collection Section at (032) 233-3284 or 518-6137 or email them through contri.pro7@philhealth.gov.ph.(mbcn/HFG/PIA-7 & Philhealth)