HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
RECEIVED

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
House of Representatives
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

1807 REGISTRATION UNIT

HOUSEBIELNO: BILLS AND INDEX SERVICE

Introduced by Congressman Alfredo D. Vargas III

EXPLANATORY NOTE

As part of the country’s Millenium Development Goals (MDGs), the Philip,
reduce child mortality and improve maternal health.

According to the 5" Philippine Progress Report on the MDGs, the Philippines had a high
probability of achieving the target of reducing the mortality rate of children. In 2011, the
Philippines recorded a child mortality rate of 30 out of 1,000 live births which is not far from
the 2015 target of 26.7. Moreover, infant mortality rate also decreased from 57 per 1,000 live
births in 1990 to 22 per 1,000 live births in 2011. The 2015 target is 19.

However, it is feared that the Philippines may not have met its MDG target on maternal
health as the maternal mortality ratio increased from 209 deaths per 100,000 live births i
1990 to 221 deaths in 2011, a far cry from the 2015 target of 52.

This bill seeks to provide automatic health insurance coverage to all women about to
give birth who are not yet enrolled under any existing categories of the PhilHealth and their
newborn children, The premium of such membership shall be sourced from the sin tax
collections in accordance with Republic Act No. 10351, otherwise known as “An Act
Restructuring the Excise Tax and Tobacco Products.”

Through this initiative, all expectant mothers and newborn children will be provided
with proper pre and post natal care and adequate health care services, thus contributing to the
attainment of the country’s MDGs of reducing child mortality and improving maternal health

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

FREDO D. VAMGAS III



REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
House of Representatives
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

1807

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Congressman Alfredo D. Vargas III

AN ACT
GRANTING AUTOMATIC PHILHEALTH COVERAGE FOR ALL WOMEN ABOUT TO GIVE
BIRTH AND THEIR NEWBORN CHILDREN, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC
ACT NO. 7875, AS AMENDED BY REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10606, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS
THE “NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE ACT OF 2013”, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Philhealth Para sa
Buntis at Kanyang Sanggol Act of 2016".

Sec. 2. Section 12 of Republic Act No. 7875, as amended by Republic Act No. 10606 is
hereby further amended to read as follows:

“Sec. 12. Entitlement to Benefits. - A member whose premium contributions
for at least three (3) months have been paid within six (6) months prior to the first
day of availment, including those of the dependents, shall be entitled to the benefits
of the Program: Provided, that such member can show that contributions have been
made with sufficient regularity: Provided, further, that the member is not currently
subject to legal penalties as provided for in Section 44 of this Act.

“The following need not pay the monthly contributions to be entitled to the
Program's benefits:

a. Retirees and pensioners of the SSS and GSIS prior to the effectivity
of this Act: [and]
b. Lifetime members[.] : AND


c. ALL FILIPINO WOMEN ABOUT TO GIVE BIRTH AND THEIR
NEWBORN CHILDREN WHO ARE NOT CURRENTLY COVERED
UNDER ANY EXISTING CATEGORY OF PHILHEALTH.”

Sec. 3. Section 29-B of Republic Act No. 7875 as amended, is hereby further
amended to read as follows:

“SEC. 29-B. Coverage of Women About to Give Birth. - The annual required
premium for the coverage of unenrolled women who are about to give birth AND THEIR
NEWBORN CHILDREN shall be fully borne by the national government TO BE SOURCED
FROM THE NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE FUND OF PHILHEALTH EARMARKED
FROM THE PROCEEEDS OF SIN TAX COLLECTIONS AS PROVIDED FOR IN REPUBLIC
ACT NO. 10351. [and/or LGUs and/or legislative sponsor which shall be determined
through the means testing protocol recognized by the DSWD].

Sec. 4. Repealing Clause. ~ All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations,
or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended or
modified accordingly.

Sec. 5. Effectivity. ~ This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulations.

Approved,