Manila: The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) on Monday assured members that all frontline and hospital-based services will remain fully operational despite adjusted work arrangements for some of its personnel starting March 9.

According to Philippines News Agency, PhilHealth announced that administrative and back-office personnel will adopt a compressed onsite work schedule from Monday to Thursday, with a 10-hour workday as part of the government's energy conservation measures. However, frontline offices and critical operational units will maintain a regular Monday-to-Friday schedule to ensure uninterrupted services for members.

Among those maintaining the five-day operations are PhilHealth CARES nurses and P-Malasakit personnel stationed in hospitals, local health insurance offices, PhilHealth Business Centers, satellite offices, and hospital desks. Claims processing units under the Benefit Administration Section, as well as information technology, legal, and field operations units, will also continue to function to support healthcare services.

PhilHealth President and Chief Executive Officer Edwin Mercado emphasized the agency's commitment to providing quality service despite the adjusted work arrangements. Mercado stated, "The efficiency offered by this arrangement must translate into better, more focused service delivery." He also mentioned that PhilHealth's digital portals and frontline desks will remain accessible to assist members throughout the workweek.

The adjusted schedule aligns with Malaca±ang Memorandum Circular No. 114, which directs government agencies to adopt flexible work arrangements to help reduce fuel consumption and electricity use by 10 to 20 percent amid rising global oil prices.