Metro Manila, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the government health insurer to grant a general amnesty on penalties and interest for unpaid premium contributions, giving employers, business owners, and self-employed members a one-time chance to settle their arrears.
Under the directive, members may settle unpaid contributions without interest or penalty charges for late payments.
“Sa aming patuloy na pagtulong sa ating mga kababayan, lalong-lalo na sa tinatawag nating healthcare, inutusan ko po ang PhilHealth (Philippine Health Insurance Corporation) na magpatupad ng general amnesty,” Marcos said.
[Translation: As part of our continuing effort to help our fellow Filipinos, especially in healthcare, I have ordered PhilHealth to implement a general amnesty.”)
The president said the order includes a one-time waiver of the three percent compounded monthly interest on unpaid premium contributions, citing the financial burden on members struggling to settle dues.
He said the policy is expected to benefit around 300,000 PhilHealth members.
“Alam naman namin na ‘yung three percent na binabayad para sa PhilHealth… buwan-buwan ay ramdam na ramdam ng ating mga kababayan,” Marcos said.
[Translation: We know that the three percent charged for PhilHealth every month is deeply felt by our fellow Filipinos.]
He was specific on the amnesty details.
“Kaya’t inutusan ko po ang PhilHealth… ang tinatawag naming one-time waiver para sa interest ngayong taon,” he said.
[Translation: That is why I instructed PhilHealth to implement what we call a one-time waiver of interest this year.]
The amnesty will cover the years 2013 to 2024, the president said.
Marcos also urged employers to update their employee’records and ensure enrollment in the PhilHealth YAKAP (Yaman ng Kalusugan Program), an enhanced primary care initiative that provides free consultations, essential medicines, laboratory tests, and cancer screening.
