Newly appointed PhilHealth president and CEO Dr. Edwin M. Mercado joined 9,000 agency officers and employees from across the country in a eucharistic mass on Friday to celebrate the state insurer’s 30th anniversary. Father Jerry Orbos, SVD, officiated the mass.

Following through on the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to ensure unhampered PhilHealth services, the mass was followed by a board meeting chaired by Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa. Critical policy issues, addressing both the needs of providers and members, were discussed.

“We wish to repay with our wholehearted service — especially by the employees and staff of PhilHealth who are our partners in extending our services — the trust placed on us by our stakeholders and public health and medical communities,” Mercado said in Filipino.

Thirty years since its inception, PhilHealth remains committed to delivering even more responsive and quality healthcare for all Filipinos, he said.