BYLINE: Engr. Grace Bondad Nicolas
PhilHealth will be conducting its first nationwide running event on February 17, 2013 to mark its 18th anniversary, in tandem with a nationwide awareness program for the protection of mothers and children. Dubbed “PhilHealth Run 2013: A Nationwide Run for Mother and Child Protection,” the event will draw national attention and support to its mission of providing all Filipinos with access to quality health care through social health insurance.
“The PhilHealth Run 2013 is part of our ‘Be PhilHealth Now’ campaign, and indeed an excellent platform for us to celebrate our mandate of Universal Health Care as we move closer to achieving universal coverage next year,” announced PhilHealth President and CEO Dr. Eduardo P. Banzon during the media launch in Quezon City. “This time, we are running towards making UHC a reality, as well as making a statement on the importance of mother and child health in support of our country€’s commitment to the Millennium Development Goals,” he added.
“We are targeting some 90,000 professional and amateur runners from different parts of the country to take part in this historical event” added Banzon, saying that the “run will be held simultaneously in 18 sites so they can better express support to our cause right where they are.” PhilHealth declared that the event also aims to help increase public awareness and create more advocates who will advance the issue. Proceeds from registration fees and sponsorships will benefit one national and 18 other local institutions that work for and cater to the health and welfare of Filipino mothers and children.
The event is open to all individuals who are in good health. They can register in three-, five-, ten- or 18-kilometer categories online or at any PhilHealth regional and local health insurance offices where they are supposed to run. The 18 sites are Manila, Baguio, Dagupan, Tuguegarao, Clark, Malolos, Laguna, Batangas, Legazpi, Iloilo, Cebu, Tacloban, Zamboanga, Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Koronadal, Marawi and Butuan.