PhilHealth assures uninterrupted frontline services amid energy conservation measures

MANILA — The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) has assured members that all frontline and hospital-based services will continue operating on a regular five-day schedule even as the agency implements adjusted work arrangements for select administrative and back-office personnel starting March 9, 2026.

Under the new arrangement, administrative and back-office personnel will observe a compressed onsite schedule from Monday to Thursday with a 10-hour workday, while frontline offices and critical operational units will continue to operate from Monday to Friday to ensure uninterrupted service to members.

PhilHealth said several key services will remain fully operational throughout the five-day workweek. These include PhilHealth CARES nurses and P-Malasakit personnel stationed in hospitals, Local Health Insurance Offices (LHIOs), PhilHealth Business Centers, satellite offices, and hospital desks nationwide.

Also continuing regular operations are claims processing under the Benefit Administration Section, the agency’s Information Technology (IT) services, as well as legal and field operations units.

While administrative personnel will follow the compressed onsite work schedule, PhilHealth emphasized that staff will remain reachable and responsive on Fridays to address urgent operational needs and member concerns.

The adjusted work arrangement is part of the government’s nationwide energy conservation efforts in response to rising global oil prices and follows Malacañang Memorandum Circular No. 114, which directs government agencies to adopt flexible work arrangements to reduce fuel consumption and electricity use by 10 to 20 percent.

PhilHealth President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Edwin Mercado said the agency remains committed to ensuring continuous and efficient delivery of services to members despite the adjustments.

“The efficiency offered by this arrangement must translate into better, more focused service delivery,” Mercado said. “Our digital portals and frontline desks remain your reliable partners in health every day of the business week.”