Philhealth head Rommel Aranca said as of December 2018,  the membership status report  in the province shows there are 92,425 covered members with 118,162 dependent- beneficiaries  for a total of 210,588 individuals. The figure includes 42,899   indigents identified under the National Household Targeting System (NHTS), 10,847 sponsored by LGUs; 5,012 4Ps members; 1,200 Point of Service and 263 under the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process.

Others come from the formal sector (those in government), informal (self-employed and individual paying members) and non-paying members like the senior citizens.

Since the start of the year, the Philhealth field office has been full daily of members renewing their membership. This is seen as a manifestation that people now value the services and benefits of Philhealth to their families.

“We process a daily average of 200 clients on renewal of membership. We hope others will also catch up this first month renewal period so that every member will avail of the benefits,” Aranca said.
 
Qualified dependents are also entitled to a separate coverage of up to 45 days per calendar year, which shall be shared among them. (JDP/PAB-PIA CAR, Kalinga)