Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 2) — President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. ordered the suspension of the government insurer’s new premium contribution rates and income ceiling for 2023 as Filipinos still grapple with economic challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin.
In a document released to media on Monday, Bersamin said Marcos wanted to suspend the scheduled increase of the premium rate of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) from 4% to 4.5%.
In a joint statement, the Department of Health (DOH) and PhilHealth welcomed the chief executive’s decision.
“The DOH and PhilHealth recognize the suspension is intended to help our kababayans cope with the increasing prices of commodities caused by inflation,” both agencies said.
The DOH explained that the premium contributions are collected by PhilHealth to finance the expansion of benefits in accordance with the Universal Health Care law. It added that changes in premium schedules will be synched with planned benefit roll-outs.
Marcos also sought to block the hike in salary ceiling from ₱80,000 to ₱90,000.
“In light of the prevailing socioeconomic challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, and to provide financial relief to our countrymen amidst these difficult times, please be informed that the President has directed the PhilHealth to suspend the abovementioned increase in premium rate and income ceiling…,” the document read.
