Unlike in previous years where the different court levels would go through the tedious process of procuring their own plans, the Supreme Court has now procured one uniform healthcare plan for all courts.
On July 2, 2024, Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo led the Supreme Court in the procurement of the first ever Comprehensive Health Care Plan for the Judiciary (Comprehensive Health Care Plan), in partnership with Kaiser International Health Group, Inc. and Manila Bankers and General Assurance Corporation (Kaiser and Manila Bankers Joint Venture).
The Comprehensive Healthcare Plan, which will be effective for a period of one year beginning July 8, 2024, covers all incumbent Supreme Court, Court of Appeals (CA), Court of Tax Appeals (CTA), and Sandiganbayan (SBN) Justices; judges from the first- and second-level courts; and all officials and employees in all court levels.
“Through this initiative, the Court seeks to ensure that all judicial officers and employees, along with their qualified dependents, are given proper access to health services and products, with minimal personal contributions,” said Chief Justice Gesmundo.
The Supreme Court, through the Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022-2027 (SPJI), has committed itself, under the target outcome of Efficiency, to address the needs and welfare of its internal stakeholders by procuring a comprehensive healthcare plan for the entire Judiciary.
Chief Justice Gesmundo is hopeful that this Comprehensive Health Care Plan will encourage judicial officers and employees, along with their qualified dependents, to not only seek medical assistance when needed, but also to observe a healthier lifestyle in general, without the anxiety of an unexpected financial burden.
“Through this, we hope to protect their physical and psychological health to drive performance as they fulfill their roles in the administration of justice,” he added.
Associate Justice Mario V. Lopez, Chairperson of the Supreme Court Health Plan and Technical Working Group under the SC Health and Welfare Board, also took the opportunity to give recognition to the Kaiser and Manila Bankers Joint Venture. “(T)his project will not be realized without the accompanying faith of our partner. In its genuine desire to achieve our purpose, the Kaiser International Health Group and the Manila Bankers, took the cudgel to service the health program of the Supreme Court,” he said.
In response, Supreme Court Employees Association President Mr. Erwin D. Ocson applauded the Court’s initiative to drive performance excellence among Justices, judges, and court personnel through the Comprehensive Health Care Plan, saying, “Truly, health is wealth, and the Court has put above the rest the great importance of its human resources to fulfill its constitutional mandate for a swift and fair administration of justice.”
Chief Justice Gesmundo and Justice Lopez were joined by Supreme Court Associate Justices Henri Jean Paul B. Inting and Jhosep Y. Lopez.
Also present were CTA Presiding Justice Roman G. Del Rosario, SBN Presiding Justice Amparo M. Cabotaje-Tang, CA Acting Presiding Justice Fernanda Lampas Peralta, Philippine Judges Association President Judge Byron G. San Pedro, lower court judges, and SC officials and employees.
Clerk of Court En Banc Atty. Marife M. Lomibao-Cuevas signed the contract on behalf of the SC, while Dr. Leah Yu-Yolo, signed on behalf of the Kaiser and Manila Bankers Joint Venture. The contract signing was witnessed by SC Deputy Clerk of Court and Fiscal Management and Budget Office Chief Atty. Marilyn I. De Joya and Ms. Doris Almanzor of Manila Bankers and General Assurance Corporation, while the signed contract itself was acknowledged by Deputy Clerk of Court and Chief Administrative Officer Atty. Maria Carina A. Matammu-Cunanan. (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)
Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo gives a message at the contract signing of the Comprehensive Health Care Plan for the Judiciary on July 2, 2024, at the Session Hall of the Supreme Court in Ermita, Manila. (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)
Associate Justice Mario V. Lopez, Chairperson of the Supreme Court Health Plan and Technical Working Group under the SC Health and Welfare Board, welcomes the Justices, judges, court officials, and court employees to the contract signing of the first-ever Comprehensive Health Care Plan for the Judiciary on July 2, 2024, at the Session Hall of the Supreme Court in Ermita, Manila. (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)
Mr. Erwin D. Ocson, Supreme Court Employees Association President, delivers a message of gratitude for the Court’s initiative to procure the first-ever Comprehensive Health Care Plan for the entire Judiciary on July 2, 2024, at the Supreme Court of the Philippines. (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)
