Duterte Orders PhilHealth To Not Require OFWs Of Premium Payments

Written by Marc Adrian

President Rodrigo Duterte recently ordered Philhealth to not require OFWs to pay for Philhealth premiums.

In a televised briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque announced that OFWs should only pay on a voluntary basis.  Roque also said the payment of PhilHealth premium is no longer a requirement before OFWs can secure an overseas employment certificate.

Sa ngayon po, habang meron tayong krisis, ang naging desisyon ng Presidente, huwag na muna tayong magpataw ng karagdagang pahirap sa ating mga OFWs, lalong lalo na sa panahon na napakadami sa kanila ang nare-repatriate at nawalan na rin ng trabaho.

He also added that Health Secretary Francisco Duque III announced the suspension of a provision in the implementing rules and regulations on the mandatory increase in premium payments for OFWs.

In a recent circular issued by PhilHealth, they are increasing the premium payments of OFWs whose income ranged from ₱10,000 to ₱60,000 starting this year. 

Philhealth explained that the said measure was in accordance with the Universal Health Care Law, which was signed by Duterte last year. The state insurance also expressed that it’s still up to Congress to approve the said exemptions for OFWs. Congress will resume session on Monday to review the hike implement.

Meanwhile, Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque one of the authors of the said bill when he was a party-list lawmaker denied that they included the increase of OFW premium payments in his bill.

PhilHealth is a tax-exempt government corporation attached to the Department of Health (DOH) is mandated to roll out the National Health Insurance Program, providing inclusive health care services to all Philippine citizens.  

You can read more about the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law and its coverage and benefits it offers. Meanwhile, for an in-depth look at the premium contribution, here’s Philhealth’s current premium table for additional information.

 

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