REP. JOCELYN P. TULFO
ACT-CIS Party-list
Vice-Chair, Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs
Member, Committee on Foreign Affairs
Author, House Bill 5832 – OFW Department Act
https://www.facebook.com/jocelyntulfoinaction/ | 09177292437
OFWs SHOULD BE EXEMPTED FROM THE MANDATORY DIRECT PAYMENT OF 3 PERCENT OF THEIR MONTHLY SALARIES
[Quick fix is amend the Philhealth circular, permanent fix is amend the Universal Health Care Law]
We are drafting a bill seeking to amend Republic Act 11223 to allow this to happen.
Even though curative legislation is in the works, I am hoping the PhilHealth takes the faster option of following the more OFW friendly policy through the amendment of Philhealth Memorandum Circular 2020-0014.
OFWs should be exempted from the mandatory direct payment of three percent (3%) of their monthly salaries.
Perhaps some sort of partial or full government subsidy by OWWA or other creative means may be used to cover the cost of PhilHealth coverage.
Considering the nature of their employment, it will be nearly impossible for them to personally benefit from their direct contributions which defeats the logic of health insurance, universal or not. But their dependents here in the Philippines can use their OFW’s PhilHealth.
Rather than the current rule, OFWs must be able to choose whether or not they want to become a direct contributor through the three percent (3%) premium imposed by Philhealth’s memorandum circular 2020-0014. If they do choose to contribute, they and their dependents must be treated as direct contributors. (END)