Knowledge on and Membership in PhilHealth: The Case of Overseas Filipino Workers.

This paper describes the level of knowledge on and membership in PhilHealth (Philippine Health Insurance Corporation) among Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). It analytically examines the sociodemographic predictors of knowledge on and membership in PhilHealth. Results reveal that 76% of the respondents involved in the study are PhilHealth members. Generally, respondents' level of knowledge about the insurance is moderate. Results of regression analysis reveal that sex/gender (BETA = -.319) and income (BETA = .352) predict membership in PhilHealth. Meanwhile, income (BETA = .295) and marital status (BETA = -.164) predict the level of knowledge on PhilHealth. The results indicate that those with income above PhP40,000 (approximately USD785) are the ones knowledgeable about PhilHealth. Moreover, OFWs with partners are more knowledgeable about the insurance compared to those who are not married or without partners. The results offer several insights regarding PhilHealth membership among OFWs. First, OFWs with higher income tend to become members of PhilHealth. Second, women are less likely to become members, as many of them are working in the service sectors and are generally earning lower income than their male counterparts. This result indicates that women OFWs should be encouraged to become PhilHealth members, especially if their left-behind partners or husbands are not members. This is to ensure that left-behind family members will be able to access health services.

Meals under tents: experiences of food insecurity among the displaced people of southern Philippines.

The article examines food conditions among Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the southern Philippines. This aims to highlight the experience of food availability, accessibility and utilization as significant components of the household food security concept among people who lost their communities and sources of income due to war. The study also explores the consequences of food insecurity or hardship to the lives of the family members. Key informant interviews (KII) were conducted among 10 household heads to gather the qualitative data and quantitative data was provided by 306 respondents to the survey questionnaire. Both results reflect poor food security status, requiring coping strategies and affecting familial dynamics among other things. The study reechoes earlier findings that internal displacement predicts not only household food insecurity but also decreased mental well-being and reduced personal motivation. Mindful of these facts, a considerable range of services and assistance must be extended to the IDPs including food, livelihood, and psychological interventions. The study ultimately hopes to put pressure on the state legislature of the Philippines for the immediate enactment of specific law that protects Filipino IDPs.