Operationalizing a Mobile PhilHealth Service Office for Expanding Coverage and Service Delivery in Underserved Communities

Dundee Roble; Rod Warren Tecson; Jocelyn Divinagracia; Christopher Aladdin Capariño

doi:10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i04.85216

Operationalizing a Mobile PhilHealth Service Office for Expanding Coverage and Service Delivery in Underserved Communities

Author(s)	Dundee Roble, Rod Warren Tecson, Jocelyn Divinagracia, Christopher Aladdin Capariño
Country	Philippines
Abstract	In many remote barangays and coastal villages in the Philippines, families continue to struggle with access to basic health services. Enrollment in PhilHealth or filing claims often requires long travel, lost income, and navigating bureaucratic systems, creating barriers rooted in geography, poor infrastructure, and administrative red tape. This study, Operationalizing a Mobile PhilHealth Service Office for Expanding Coverage and Service Delivery in Underserved Communities, explores the feasibility of bringing PhilHealth closer to the people through mobile service offices. Using a mixed-methods approach, surveys and interviews with community members, leaders, and PhilHealth personnel captured both community perspectives and practical considerations of cost, sustainability, and scalability. Findings reveal that while most respondents are registered, utilization of benefits remains moderate due to distance and poor communication. The concept of the Mobile PhilHealth Office received strong support, with expectations for regular visits, comprehensive services, compassionate staff, and integration of digital tools. The study concludes that enrollment alone does not guarantee equitable access, as distance and communication gaps remain the most significant barriers. Respondents emphasized that success depends not only on proximity but also on service quality, staff attitude, sustainability, and modernization. To address these, the study recommends institutionalizing the Mobile PhilHealth Office with consistent schedules coordinated with barangay officials, expanded services for enrollment, renewals, claims, and orientations, and prioritization of vulnerable groups such as senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and low-income families. Continuous staff training, digital innovations, adequate resources, and enhanced information dissemination are essential to ensure accessibility, accountability, and alignment with health system reforms. Ultimately, the Mobile PhilHealth Office must serve as a holistic interventions that advance equity, dignity, and inclusive governance in rural health service delivery.
Keywords	Public Administration, PhilHealth, Mobile PhilHealth Office, Healthcare Accessibility, Underserved Communities, Universal Health Coverage, Service Delivery, Equity; Inclusive Governance, Feasibility Study, Mixed-Methods Research, Cebu Province, Philippines
Field	Sociology > Health
Published In	Volume 8, Issue 4, July-August 2026
Published On	2026-08-07
DOI	https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i04.85216

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Operationalizing a Mobile PhilHealth Service Office for Expanding Coverage and Service Delivery in Underserved Communities

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