Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

5611

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced By Representatives
ALLAN BENEDICT S. REYES and MANUEL LUIS T. LOPEZ

EXPLANATORY NOTE

“HERO’ - this is the word oftentimes used to describe our uniformed personnel. They
are the epitome of bravery and courage who swear to perform their duties with honor and to
serve the country and its people, even to the point of sacrificing their own lives. Needless to
say, our uniformed personnel play a significant role in maintaining the safety and security of
our beloved nation.

As dangerous as their respective roles surely are, our uniformed personnel are more
likely to suffer from serious injuries, bad accidents and life-threatening illnesses. Some are
shot by bullets or injured by grenades during random encounters or crossfires, while others
acquire severe ailments or diseases from their appalling situations in mountains and perilous
destinations. Other uniformed personnel suffer serious wounds trying to save individuals from
buming houses or establishments and unfortunately even lose an arm or limb in the
performance of their duties. Some are attacked by crooks when they rove around the streets
or are ganged up by hardened criminals inside jails. These unfortunate events for our
uniformed personnel can surely set their respective families back, if not derail their lives
completely.

While uniformed personnel are provided with “PhilHealth Plus”, these supplemental
health benefits are not enough to cover all services for preventive or curative treatments and
other medical expenses incurred by them. For instance, Philhealth members are only
covered by the health insurance company for a maximum of forty-five (45) days of admission
‘or confinement per year.' Such number of days is, however, not enough for uniformed
personnel to totally recover from their serious ailments or incapacities. Alternatively, such
number of days can be easily exhausted by uniformed personnel in any given year
considering their high risk of exposure to accidents and ailments. Unfortunately, Philhealth
do not distinguish among its members and provides benefits regardless of the functions and
activities of the member-government employees.

To address this, we need to provide our uniformed personnel with additional health
insurance from reputable private health maintenance organizations (HMOs) that specifically
recognizes their unique medical needs. This way, we at the very least, uplift the morale of
our uniformed personnel with the psychological security and assurance that they have

’ Philhealth Circular 035, series of 2013, Implementing Guidelines on Medical and Procedure Case Rates, 15
November 2013.

Page 1 of 4


additional benefits that will finance their treatment or hospitalization, instead of draining their
hard-earned money and personal resources.

Unfortunately, COA Resolution No. 2005-001 dated February 3, 2005 categorically
stated that “the procurement of private health insurance by any agency or instrumentality of
the government is an irregular expenditure and constitutes unnecessary use of public funds.”
Thus, there is a need to enact a law that will expressly mandate such procurement of private
health insurance by the responsible agencies or instrumentalities of the government and,
consequently, appropriate funds therefor. This way, the procurement of private health
insurance for uniformed personnel is taken out of the prohibition against unauthorized use of
public funds.

In sum, by taking care of our heroes, we take care of our nation too.

In view of the foregoing, passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

Gan Lae M8) On

HON. ALLAN BENEDICT S. REYES? HON. MANUEL
Representative Representative
3" District, Quezon City 1 District, Manila

Page 2 of 4


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 5611

Introduced by Representatives
ALLAN BENEDICT S. REYES and MANUEL LUIS T. LOPEZ

WOIYAHEWNE

AN ACT ALLOWING THE PROCUREMENT OF ADDITIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE
FROM REPUTABLE PRIVATE HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATIONS (HMOs)
FOR UNIFORMED PERSONNEL AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Additional Health
Insurance for Uniformed Personnel Act of 2019.”

SECTION 2. Coverage. - This Act shall apply to all uniformed personnel regardless
of rank or employment status. The term “uniformed personnel’, as used in this Act, refers
to members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police
(PNP), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) and Bureau of Fire Protection
(BFP).

SECTION 3. Additional Health Insurance. - The health insurance provided in this
Act shall be in addition to those already provided under Republic Act No. 9241 or An Act
‘Amending Republic Act No. 7875, Otherwise Known As “An Act instituting A National
Health Insurance Program for All Filipinos and Establishing the Philippine Health
Insurance Corporation for the Purpose” and its implementing rules and regulations.

SECTION 4. Creation of the Uniformed Personnel Health Insurance Fund - There
is hereby created a Uniformed Personnel Health Insurance Fund that shall consist of
appropriations earmarked by the concerned departments employing uniformed personnel
under the Executive branch purposely for the implementation of this Act. Disbursements
from the said Fund shall be subject to the usual accounting and budgeting rules and
regulations.

SECTION 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from
the promulgation of this Act, the necessary rules and regulations for the proper
implementation of its provisions shall be formulated by the appropriate government office
or agency in coordination with all the stakeholders and covered establishments and
institutions.

SECTION 6. Repealing Clause. — All laws, executive orders, administrative orders,

tules, regulations, decrees, and other issuances or parts thereof, which are inconsistent
with the provisions of this Act are hereby revoked, repealed, or modified accordingly.

Page 3 of 4


RS cmv anuawne

SECTION 7. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not affected thereby shall continue in
operation and remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 8. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
its publication the Official Gazette or in the two (2) national newspaper of general
circulation.

Approved,

Page 4 of 4