LINGAYEN, Pangasinan—It was a big sigh of relief for the 2,415 Job Orders (JOs) and Contract of Service (COS) employees of the provincial government after Pangasinan Gov. Ramon V. Guico III and PhilHealth, represented by Regional Vice President, Region 1, Dennis B. Adre, signed the Group Enrollment Program (GEP) Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) at the Ceremonial Hall, Urduja House, here.
With this, the five percent PhilHealth monthly premium deducted from the monthly salaries of JOs and COS employees will be shouldered by the provincial government.
PhilHealth RO1 VP Adre commended Pangasinan for being a trailblazer in the entire Philippines.
“Kasi karamihan po ng government employees in the entire country, ibinabawas lang sa mga empleyado nila ang payment of premiums. And talaga pong kakaiba ang probinsya ng Pangasinan dahil they have undertaken to pay the premiums of their JOs and COS,” Adre said.
Gov. Guico earlier said that his administration values and recognizes the unselfish efforts and sacrifices of the Capitol workforce, who paved the way for the countless accomplishments of the provincial government.
The move was a great way to help uplift the socio-economic status and well-being of employees and constituents as well.
‘Hopefully, tulad ng ginawa natin ngayon na nanguna tayo na nagsubsidized ng contribution, sana gawin din ng ibang probinsiya. Siyempre, you have to take care of your workers. Kapag hindi sila motivated e di buong organization niyo wala rin,’ the governor added.
Beyond medical and physical examinations, cash incentives to retirees and recognition of outstanding civil service heroes were provided by the present administration, benefiting Capitol workers.
Provincial Administrator Melicio F. Patague II said, “patunay ito na malaki ang pagpapahalaga ni Governor Guico sa kalusugan ng bawat kawani ng Pamahalaang Panlalawigan ng Pangasinan.”
(Chona C. Bugayong, PIMRO)
