City, Philhealth to ink primary care pact

The city council passed resolution no. 571, series of 2023, authorizing Mayor Benjamin Magalong, representing the city government of Baguio, to enter into and execute a Supplemental Service Level Agreement (SLA) with the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) for the implementation of a Primary Care Provider Network (PCPN) contracting arrangement through the Konsultasyong Sulit At Tama (KONSULTA) package in the city.

The august body, on June 19, this year, through resolution no. 366, series of 2023,  granted authority to the Mayor to enter into and execute an SLA with PhilHealth on the implementation of a PCPN contracting arrangement through the KONSULTA package in Sanbox Site/Networks in the Summer Capital.

The SLA was signed on June 30, 2023, by PhilHealth represented by Dr. Dominga Gadgad and the city government by Mayor Magalong.

The Office of the Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC) rendered its review of the SLA template through OGCC Contract Review Nos. 1602 and 1603, series of 2023, both dated June 29, this year, and recommended some revisions to the agreement.

“Because of the urgency to act on this matter, there is a need to execute a Supplemental SLA based on the recommendations of the OGCC to facilitate the release of the PhilHealth payment to the city of Baguio amounting to P66,500,000,” the approved resolution states.

Section three of the original SLA states that “No amendment or modification of any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall be valid unless evidenced by a written agreement executed by the authorized representatives of both Parties”. – Gaby B. Keith