Last October 17, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) launched its first ever nationwide running event to mark its 18th year of establishment.

Dubbed the “PhilHealth Run 2013: Nationwide Run for Mother and Child Protection,” the event aims to draw national attention and support to its mission of providing all Filipinos with access to quality health care through social health insurance. The run will be held in 18 sites all across the country, simultaneously running for universal health care and coverage on the 17th of February, 2013 (02.17.13).

“The PhilHealth Run 2013 is part of our ‘Be PhilHealth Now’ campaign and is indeed an excellent platform for us to celebrate our mandate of Universal Health Care as we move closer to achieving universal coverage next year,” announces PhilHealth President and CEO, Dr. Eduardo P. Banzon, during the event’s Metro Manila media launch in Quezon City.

PhilHealth is mandated to provide all Filipinos, regardless of their status in life, with financial access to quality health care services. It aims to ensure that no one and no family would be devastatingly financially burdened in the event of illness. In July this year, President Benigno Aquino III announced during his State of the Nation Address that membership to the social health insurance program has reached a milestone 80 million members, translating to near 85% of the entire Philippine population.

“This time, we are running towards bringing UHC a reality, as as making a statement on the importance of mother and child health in support of our country’s commitment to the Millennium Development Goals,” Dr. Banzon added.

This event aims to increase public awareness and is a call for more advocates who will advance the issue. Proceeds from registration and sponsorships will benefit one national and over 18 other local institutions that cater to the health and welfare of Filipino mothers and children. The national beneficiary of the run is the Philippine Children’s Medical Center (PCMC) in Quezon City, a national referral hospital that admits patients with diseases requiring subspecialty care. PCMC has been taking the lead in the implementation of the recently-launched catastrophic Z Benefit Package, which covers treatment for acute lymphocytic leukemia in children. Proceeds raised from the run will be used to improve their facilities and services, and is set to make a great impact in the lives of many children and their families.

“We are targeting some 90,000 professional and amateur runners from different parts of the country to take part in this historical event,” adds Banzon. “The run will be held simultaneously in 18 sites so they can better express support to our cause right where they are.”

Anybody and everybody who is in good health condition is invited to join the event! There are a possible five race categories, namely 3K Kiddie, 3K Adult, 5K, 10K, and 18K. To register, interested participants may go to our website and register online or at any PhilHealth regional and local health insurance offices and must pay the corresponding registration fees. Registration and payment must be made in the region where the participant intends to run. Participants have the chance to win prizes for the top 3 male and female finishers of each category, a raffle, and other special awards to be announced later on.

The 18 sites of the race are Manila, Baguio, Dagupan, Tuguegarao, Clark, Malolos, Sta. Rosa, Batangas, Legazpi, Iloilo, Cebu, Tacloban, Zamboanga, Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Koronadal, Marawi, and Butuan. Stay tuned for more exciting news and updates.