PhilHealth defers premium increase
By Hazel F. Gloria
CEBU CITY, Jan 16 (PIA) -- The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) deferred the premium increase which would have taken effect this year for the employed sector and some individually-paying members.
Instead of implementing a monthly premium contribution of 3 percent of an employee’s basic monthly pay, PhilHealth retained the premium at 2.5 percent for 2013.
However, the agency adjusted its contribution schedule’s lowest and highest salary base.
PhilHealth raised the lowest salary base from P4,000 to P7,000 so that those earning P7,999.99 and below will now be paying a monthly contribution of P175. The highest salary base is now P35,000 (from P30,000) at a monthly premium of P875.
With the deferment, only those employees earning below P7,000 and those earning P31,000 and above are affected by the increase. Still, only half of the monthly contribution will be deducted from the employee’s salary. The other half will be paid by the employer.
High-income earning self-employed members and other professionals doing private practice will continue to pay their current premium of P3,600 per year.
But the 2013 premium of those earning an average monthly income of P25,000 and below, and other individually paying members has been adjusted to P1,800—lower than the intended increase to P2,400 per year. OFW members will, however, continue to pay P1,200 for 2013.
For more information, check out Circular 57-2012 at www.philhealth.gov.ph or visit the PhilHealth office nearest you. (rmn/PIA-7/PhilHealth)
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PNoy to grace opening of Austal shipyard in Cebu
By Fayette C. Ri�en
CEBU CITY, Jan 16 (PIA) -- President Benigno S. Aquino III will be in Cebu, Wednesday to grace the grand opening of the Austal Philippine Shipyard inside the West Cebu Industrial Park in Balamban, Cebu.
On hand to receive the President at the shipyard at 10 a.m. will be Joselito B. Turano, president and general manager of Austal Philippine Shipyard operations.
Upon arrival, the President will opt to conduct a tour and inspection at the assembly area of the fabrication workshop.
Turano on the other hand, will brief the President about the company’s operations while touring the premises. On display will be various photos of the different ships built by Austal over the years.
A short program will follow where Turano will deliver the welcome remarks.
Australian Ambassador to the Philippines H.E. Bill Tweddell will also be present to give a message as well as Austal’s Chief Operating Officer Greg Jason.
Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo will do the introduction of the President.
After the program, photo opportunities with the President and Austal’s officials and employees will follow.
Around 300 guests composed of company officials and employees, local officials and other invited guests are invited to witness the event.
Austal is an Australian-based company that designs and constructs aluminum vessels including passenger and freight ferries, luxury yachts, and military vessels.
Austal Philippines is the third production facility of the company, two of which are based in Western Australia and the United States.
At 11:30 a.m., the President is expected at the Mandaue City Sports Complex for the visit of the administration's senatorial slate in Cebu. (PIA 7)
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Free seminar on employees compensation program slated
By Rachelle M. Nessia
CEBU CITY, Jan 16 (PIA) --- The Employees Compensation Commission (ECC) will gather employers in Cebu for a one-day seminar on the Employees Compensation Program (ECP).
Around 150 employers and human resource officers from the private and public sectors are expected to attend the free seminar on Jan. 24 at the Waterfront Hotel, said Ingrid Zafra Yumang of the ECC in Cebu.
This activity will also be attended by union representatives, added Yumang.
The gathering is in line with ECC’s goal of intensifying awareness of workers and employers about the ECP, and the benefits that they may avail from it.
ECC, said Yumang, is a government corporation attached to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) created to implement the ECP.
According to its website, the commission provides a package of benefits for public and private sector employees and their dependents in case of work-related contingencies such as sickness, injury, disability, or death. (RMN/PIA-7 Cebu)
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PNoy: Filipinos are world-class shipbuilders'Phils 4th largest shipbuilding nation worldwide'
By Rachelle M. Nessia
CEBU CITY, Jan. 16 (PIA) -- The opening of the shipyard operations of a global defence prime contractor in Balamban town, Cebu today highlighted the growing reputation of Filipino workers as world-class ship builders.
President Benigno S. Aquino III, who graced the grand opening of Austal Philippines’ shipyard facility in Brgy. Arpili, Balamban, said the Philippines is now the fourth largest shipbuilding country in the world.
“In 2011, our ship exports reached $638 million,” said Aquino, adding that this is 57.9 percent higher from the previous year.
Currently, around 45,000 Filipinos are employed by shipbuilding companies, he said.
Of the total, 250 are employed by Austal Philippines’ shipyard operations in Balamban town here.
The President today led the unveiling of a marker outside the production facility of said company’s shipyard in Balamban, signaling the grand opening of the Australian shipbuilding company’s operations in the country.
In 2011, Austal identified Philippines as their preferred location to develop a manufacturing facility in the region.
The company in the same year acquired the facility in Balamban town.
“We saw the potential for creating a center of excellence in delivering world-class ships and support services for local and international markets,” said Joey Turano, Austal Philippines Shipyard Operations President and General Manager.
Austal has committed 15US$ million into its operations in Balamban, with the goal of developing a world-class, high technology manufacturing operation in the area.
Aquino in his speech welcomed Austal as the company’s presence in the country will help accelerate the growth of this sector in the Philippines.
The Austal facility here has recently finished construction of a patrol vessel for export to the United Kingdom costing £5 million.
Four more ships are pegged to be completed before the end of this year.
These vessels are seen to rake in $70 million and generate jobs to nearly 300 Filipino workers.
Austal, has already invested an additional $4.8 million to improve the Balamban shipyard, Aquino said.
The President said he takes this as a sign that the company is in the country for the long haul.
“Perhaps, one day, you will consider further expanding your operations here and hiring even more of our people,” he told Austal officials. (RMN/PIA-7 Cebu)