Army calls all reservists for annual test Dec. 16-17

The 1st Cebu Ready Reserve Battalion of the Philippine Army is calling on all members of the Army Reserve Force to report and participate the two-day Assembly Test which will be held at the Army Reservist Center in Camp Lapu-Lapu, Cebu City from December 16 to 17.

Major Richard Sison, reserve battalion commander, said all reservists, with or without unit assignments, are invited to attend the annual preparedness test.

The Assembly Test, to be attended by battallion officers and officers and enlisted personnel from the four companies (Alpha, Bravo, Charlie and Headquarters & Headquarter Service Company) of the Army Reserve Force, will be opened with a simple ceremony on the 16th of December at 8 a.m.

The reservists are required to wear the prescribed battle dress attire (BDA) and bring with them, if they have, enlistment orders for the purpose of updating the reservist record system in the 701st Community Defense Center, headed by Major Samson Deles.

Major Sison said the event is geared to evaluate the degree of skills, competence and knowledge acquired by the reservists during their previous trainings and to muster membership in order to get a permanent record of all the reservists.

All inquiries about the assembly test may be directed to 701st CDC through, TSgt Ronilo Cabizares, SSgt Benedicto Traya with telephone number 232-2464 local 3350.

Philhealth implements new born care package

The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation has rolled out its Newborn Care Benefit Package covering claims with admission dates beginning December 1.

The Philhealth board has approved resolution No. 925 providing for the new benefit package. Philhealth Circular No. 34 sets the guidelines for its implementation using a case payment scheme for reimbursement of P1,000 to the accredited health care provider.

The newborn care services covered under the package include umbilical cord care, prophylaxis, administration of Vitamin K, thermal care, first dose of Hepatitis B immunization and newborn screening tests as recommended by the Department of Health.

The accredited health care providers must be able to provide the services mentioned in order to be reimbursed. The case rate is distributed as follows: P250 for eye prophylaxis, umbilical cord care, Vitamin K administration and thermal care; P250 for the first dose of Hepatitis B immunization and P500 for the newborn screening test.

If newborns are confined in the hospital due to other conditions and illnesses, they can avail of other benefits, including room and board fee, based on the type of their illness or diagnosis. The claim should include the newborn care services in the package and shall not be considered a separate benefit.

The newborn care benefit package is available to newborns whose mothers are qualified to avail of the pregnancy related benefit. Mothers, as members or dependents, are eligible for pregnancy related benefit if the contribution requirement for members is satisfied.

For employed members, a contribution for at least three months within the immediate six months before the month of delivery is required. For individually paying members, the contribution requirement is at least nine months within the immediate 12 months before the month of delivery.

Sponsored members and overseas workers program members can avail of pregnancy related benefits within one-year validity period of their coverage.

If the delivery is normal, pregnancy related benefit is available only for the first three normal deliveries. An additional requirement for mothers delivering in accredited non-hospital facilities is that they must undergo prenatal care services and the first visit must be made before the four months age of gestation lapses. - Jasmin R. Uy/MEEV