The University of the Philippines and Cardinal Santos Medical Center formalized an agreement that aims to extend the benefits and coverage of UP’s existing Expanded Enhanced Hospitalization Program for university personnel, Feb. 26 at CSMC, San Juan City. The ceremony was held after the 1406th meeting of the UP Board of Regents.
The memorandum of agreement makes CSMC’s health care services accessible to UP employees. With the signing, CSMC became the newest Expanded eHOPE partner of the UP System, joining a growing network of hospitals that includes East Avenue Medical Center, Lung Center of the Philippines, and Quirino Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City; Victor R. Potenciano Medical Center in Mandaluyong City; Saint Louis University Sacred Heart Medical Center in Baguio City; Western Visayas Medical Center in Iloilo City; and Brokenshire Medical Center in Davao City.
An improved version of the 2010 Financial Assistance Program for Hospitalization Expenses, eHOPE took effect January 2017 and was amended in April 2023. The amendment allotted financial assistance of up to P100,000 for hospital confinement expenses of eligible UP employees.
UP President Angelo Jimenez said the MOA opens another pathway for university employees to obtain “timely, responsive, and compassionate medical care”. He assured that CSMC will work closely with UP in a partnership built on trust and shared responsibility.
“UP produces leaders, innovators, and nation-builders. The MOA is proof of our shared values of honor, excellence, and service,” declared CSMC President and CEO Raul Pagdanganan, who is on his second term as a member of the UP BOR. “We hear your needs. We understand your realities,” he said, emphasizing that Expanded eHOPE coverage must be made more meaningful. He added that eligible patients may avail themselves of further assistance from CSMC’s foundation.
The agreement’s principal signatories were Jimenez and Dr. Antonio Say, CSMC vice president and chief medical officer. UP VP for Administration Augustus Resurreccion, and CSMS officials, Senior VP and Chief Financial Officer Marivic Mabuti, and Assistant VP and Head of Business Planning and Development Jake Solomon were the document’s assigned witnesses.
Dr. Mys Tirol, CSMC AVP and head of ancillary services joined fellow hospital officials at the event. Members of the UP BOR who attended the signing ceremony were: Commission on Higher Education and BOR Chairperson Shirley Agrupis, House Committee on Higher and Technical Education Chairperson and Regent Jude Acidre, UP Alumni Association President and Alumni Regent Robert Lester Aranton, Regent Alfredo Pascual, Faculty Regent Early Sol Gadong, and Student Regent Ron Dexter Clemente.
UP executive committee members who were present at the signing were VP for Academic Affairs Lorraine Pe Symaco, VP for Research and Innovation Joel Marciano, VP for Planning and Finance Joselito Florendo, VP for Development Daniel Peckley Jr., VP for Public Affairs Marian Coquia-Regidor, VP for Legal Affairs Ruben Acebedo II, VP for Digital Transformation Peter Sy, Secretary of the University and of the BOR Roberto Lara, and Special Assistant to the President Domingo Lopez.