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OFFLI: .SF 
FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
Second Regular Session 
1 
9 
FEB 18 156 :2Y 
S E N A T E  
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
Introduced by Senator Manuel “Lito” M. Lapid 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The State’s policy to adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health 
development available to all Filipinos and the provision of affordable medical care to the 
underprivileged was implemented with the enactment of Republic Act No. 7875, 
otherwise known as the National Health Insurance Act of 1995. The program covers a 
sustainable and progressive social health insurance and affordable quality health care 
services readily accessible to all Filipinos. The Act provides a system wherein the poor 
can avail of health services through their membership in the National Health Insurance 
Program (NHIP). At the core of this program is the creation of the Philippine Health 
Insurance Corporation (PHILHEALTH) in place of MEDICARE. 
As the country’s premier state-run health insurer, PHILHEALTH sets the 
standards, rules and regulations necessary to ensure quality of care, appropriate 
utilization of services, fund viability, member satisfaction, and over-all accomplishment 
of the program objectives set forth under R.A. No. 7875. Said law specifically provides 
that accessibility to these health care services are accorded to all Filipinos where the 
underprivileged, sick, elderly, disabled, women and children are given the utmost 
priority. 
This proposed bill seeks to provide mandatory health insurance to all public utility 
drivers all over the counfry by requiring operators to provide PHILHEALTH coverage to 
their drivers. 
Being on the road for more than 12 hours everyday and driving even way past 
midnight, there is an urgent need to provide a mandatory health insurance package for 
our thousands of public utility drivers who deliver millions of our commuters to their point 
of destination 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
n 
MANU &L--i 
‘‘LITO” M. LAPID,, 
0 
Senator 


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rJFl;rCk 
;,, !i, ~.;.<x!3Am 
FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Q FEB 18 l‘6 :2Y 
Second Regular Session 
1 
S E N A T E  
s. No. _3078 
Introduced by Senator Manuel “Lito” M. Lapid 
AN ACT 
REQUIRING THE MANDATORY COVERAGE OF ALL PUBLIC UTILITY 
DRIVERS IN THE NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM (NHIP) 
UNDER 
THE 
PHILIPPINE 
HEALTH 
INSURANCE 
CORPORATION 
(PHILHEALTH) 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “National Health 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. 
insurance Coverage for Public Utility Drivers- ” 
SEC. 2. 
Declaration of Policy. - It is policy of the State to adopt an 
integrated and comprehensive approach to health development which shall endeavor to 
make essential goods, health and other social services available to all the people at 
affordable cost. Priority for the needs of the underprivileged sick, elderly, disabled, 
women, and children shall be recognized. Likewise, it shall be the policy of the State to 
provide free medical care to paupers. 
As such, the State shall provide for the mandatory coverage of ail public utility 
drivers in the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP) under the Philippine Health 
Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth). 
SEC. 3. 
Coverage. -All public utility drivers shall be mandatorily covered by 
the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP) under the Philippine Health Insurance 
Corporation (PhilHealth) regardless of the remuneration they receive from their 
operators: Provided, That all drivers currently eligible for benefits under the Social 
Security System (SSS) shall automatically be made members of the NHIP. 
SEC. 4. 
Enrollment of Public Utility Drivers. -All public utility drivers shall 
enroll in the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP) being implemented by the 
Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) in order for them to be placed 


under coverage that entitles them to avail of the benefits and the financial assistance 
provided for by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth): Provided, That 
the beneficiaries under this Act shall be issued appropriate documentation specifying 
eligibility to benefits and indicating how benefit was obtained or is being maintained. 
SEC. 5. 
Contributions. - The public utility operators are hereby mandated 
to pay equivalent to the amount of the monthly contributions paid for by the employer for 
persons to be enrolled in the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP) being 
implemented by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth): Provided, 
That the remaining amount of monthly contributions shall be shouldered by the driver, 
consistent with existing policies and guidelines set forth by PhilHealth. 
SEC. 6. 
Penalties for Violation. - Failure of the operator to remit to 
PhilHealth the corresponding contribution shall not be a ground for depriving the 
beneficiaries under this law. Such failure shall, however, subject the erring or negligent 
operator to the penalties provided by law, without prejudice to the right of PhilHealth to 
collect full reimbursement for honoring a properly filed claim. 
SEC. 7. 
Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). - Within thirty (30) 
days from the effectivity of this Act, the Board of Directors of the Philippine Health 
Insurance Corporation (PHIC) shall convene to formulate the rules and regulations for 
the implementation of this Act. 
SEC. 8. 
Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this Act shall be 
held unconstitutional or invalid, other provisions which are not affected thereby shall 
continue to be in full force and effect.. 
SEC. 9. 
Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive 
orders, rules and regulations or parts thereof which are deemed inconsistent with the 
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly. 
SEC. I O .  
Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
following its full and complete publication in an Official Gazette or in at least two (2) 
newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,