Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Batasan Hills, Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by  
HON. ATTY. GERVILLE “JINKY BITRICS” R. LUISTRO 
AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING HEALTH MAINTENANCE BENEFITS (HMB) AS A 
VALID GOVERNMENTAL EXPENSE AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
According to the Department of Budget and Management Staffing Summary of 2024, 
there is a total of 1,810,610 filed permanent positions in the national government1, while a
previous number of 165,882 non-career civil servants, and 642,077 job order/contract staff 2
were tallied in 2021. However, despite the great quantity of public servants, government 
departments often choose to hire 3rd party health maintenance organization for its plans.
This fact is supported by the COA Circular No. 2012-003 specifically citing healthcare 
insurance premium payment by the government as an irregular expense. With the global 
pandemic of COVID-19, government services must continue uninterrupted. However, most 
government employees are worried about possible expenses that they may incur in case they are 
infected with COVID-19. 
This bill aims to establish a health maintenance organization (HMO) program for all 
government employees in the Philippines despite their status as an employee. This initiative is 
designed to enhance employee well-being by ensuring access to a full range of health care 
services, including hospital and outpatient treatment, diagnostic testing, preventive care, and 
1 https://www.dbm.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/Staffing/STAFFING2024/STAFFING-SUMMARY-2024.pdf 
2 https://serp-p.pids.gov.ph/feature/public/index-view?feauredtype_id=1&slug=public-servants-and-performance-
based-incentives#:~:text=According%20to%20a%20report%20of,as%20of%20June%2030%2C%202022. 
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medication. Through this program, government employees will receive reliable health coverage 
that supports both immediate medical needs and long-term wellness. 
 
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
 
 
 
 
HON. ATTY. GERVILLE “JINKY BITRICS” R. LUISTRO 
 
 
 
 
 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Batasan Hills, Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by  
HON. ATTY. GERVILLE “JINKY BITRICS” R. LUISTRO 
AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING HEALTH MAINTENANCE BENEFIT (HMB) AS A 
VALID GOVERNMENTAL EXPENSE AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION. 1. Short title. – This Act shall be known as the "Government Health 
Maintenance Benefit Act” 
SECTION. 2. Statement of Policy. –The State shall protect and promote the right to 
health of the people and instill health consciousness among them. The State shall 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.  
SECTION. 3. Definition of Terms – The following definition of terms shall serve as a 
guide in the enactment of this Act: 
a.
Government Employees – This pertains to public service employees regardless of
status:
I.
Plantilla Employees – Permanent position or item in the government;
II.
Contractual Employees – Refers to the engagement of the services of a
person, private firm, non-governmental agency or international organization to
undertake a specific work or job requiring special or technical skills not
organization in the agency to be accomplished within a specific period not
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exceeding one (1) year. The person engaged performs or accomplishes the 
specific work or job under his own responsibility and with minimum 
supervision by hiring agency; 
III. 
Consultants – A professional who provides expert advice to an organization or 
individual in exchange for a fee without prior coverage from any health 
maintenance organization from other employment;  
IV. 
Job Order – Refers to the hiring of a worker for piece work or intermittent job 
of short duration not exceeding six months and pay is on a daily or hourly 
basis. It is to be understood that the piece work or job to be performed 
requires special or technical skills not available in the agency and the same is 
to be accomplished under the worker's own responsibility and with minimum 
supervision by the hiring agency 
   
SECTION. 4. Coverage of Health Management Plan. – This Act shall encompass all 
government employees, regardless of status. 
 
SECTION. 5. Covered Procedure. – The Health Management Plan shall cover the 
following procedures: 
 
 Medical consultations; 
 Laboratory tests; 
 Hospital stays; 
 Annual physical exams; 
 Dental coverage; 
 Teleconsultation services; 
 In-patient and out-patient procedures; 
 Other services that the particular agency requests. 
   
SECTION. 6. Appropriation. – The budget for this law shall be sourced from the 
General Appropriations Act (GAA), upon the request of the department, agency, branch of 
government. 
 
SECTION. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The Department of Health 
(DOH) and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) shall promulgate the rules 
and regulations for the effective implementation of the provisions of this Act. 
 
SECTION. 8. Separability Clause. – Should any provisions or part thereof, is held 
invalid, or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall 
remain valid and subsisting.  
   


SECTION. 9. Repealing Clause. – All laws, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to, or inconsistent 
with the provision of this Act is hereby repealed or amended accordingly.  
SECTION. 10. Effectivity. – this Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.  
Approved,