Section 10. Section 16 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"SEC. 16.Powers and Functions. — The Corporation shall have the following powers and functions:

"xxx xxx xxx

"(c)To supervise the provision of health benefits and to set standards, rules, and regulations necessary to ensure quality of care, appropriate utilization of services, fund viability, member satisfaction, and overall accomplishment of Program objectives;

"xxx xxx xxx

"(j)To negotiate and enter into contracts with health care institutions, professionals, and other persons, juridical or natural, regarding the pricing, payment mechanisms, design and implementation of administrative and operating systems and procedures, financing, and delivery of health services in behalf of its members;

"xxx xxx xxx

"(m)To visit, enter and inspect facilities of health care providers and employers during office hours, unless there is reason to believe that inspection has to be done beyond office hours, and where applicable, secure copies of their medical, financial, and other records and data pertinent to the claims, accreditation, premium contribution, and that of their patients or employees, who are members of the Program;

"xxx xxx xxx

"(p)To keep records of the operations of the Corporation and investments of the National Health Insurance Fund;

"(q)To establish and maintain an electronic database of all its members and ensure its security to facilitate efficient and effective services;

"(r)To invest in the acceleration of the Corporation's information technology systems;

"(s)To conduct an information campaign on the principles of the NHIP to the public and to accredited health care providers. This campaign must include the current benefit packages provided by the Corporation, the mechanisms to avail of the current benefit packages, the list of accredited and disaccredited health care providers, and the list of offices/branches where members can pay or check the status of paid health premiums;

"(t)To conduct post-audit on the quality of services rendered by health care providers;

"(u)To establish an office, or where it is not feasible, designate a focal person in every Philippine Consular Office in all countries where there are Filipino citizens. The office or the focal person shall, among others, process, review and pay the claims of the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs);

"(v)Notwithstanding the provisions of any law to the contrary, to impose interest and/or surcharges of not exceeding three percent (3%) per month, as may be fixed by the Corporation, in case of any delay in the remittance of contributions which are due within the prescribed period by an employer, whether public or private. Notwithstanding the provisions of any law to the contrary, the Corporation may also compromise, waive or release, in whole or in part, such interest or surcharges imposed upon employers regardless of the amount involved under such valid terms and conditions it may prescribe;

"(w)To endeavor to support the use of technology in the delivery of health care services especially in farflung areas such as, but not limited to, telemedicine, electronic health record, and the establishment of a comprehensive health database;

"(x)To monitor compliance by the regulatory agencies with the requirements of this Act and to carry out necessary actions to enforce compliance;

"(y)To mandate the national agencies and LGUs to require proof of PhilHealth membership before doing business with a private individual or group;

"(z)To accredit independent pharmacies and retail drug outlets; and

"(aa)To perform such other acts as it may deem appropriate for the attainment of the objectives of the Corporation and for the proper enforcement of the provisions of this Act."