Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

House Bill No__ 961

Introduced by REP. AUGUSTO BOBOY SYJUCO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Section 11, Article XIII of the 1987 Constitution declares that 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. 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.

Although majority of the workforce in the country is covered by health
insurance through Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), the house
helpers are among that have little or no access at all when it comes to this
program of the government. As house helpers, they do hard labors and are also
‘expose to dangers, accidents and sickness. With their minimal compensation, they
cannot afford the costly medical attention. It is therefore imperative that the
government shall make health insurance programs available for these workers.

The bill seeks to require the mandatory coverage of all house helpers in the
National Health Insurance Program under the Philippine Health Insurance
Corporation (PhilHealth). This will enable them to avail the benefits and financial
assistance offered by this program.

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

yes

Vv
pe

AUGUSTO BOBOY SYJUCO
2™ District, Province of Iloilo


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

House Bil No___ 961

Introduced by REP. AUGUSTO BOBOY SYJUCO

AN ACT REQUIRING THE MANDATORY COVERAGE OF ALL
HOUSEHELPERS 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
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Objective. - This Act seeks to provide for the mandatory
coverage of househelpers in the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP) under
the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - Section 11, Article XIll of the 1987
Constitution declares that 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.
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.

SEC. 3. Coverage. - All househelpers shall be covered by the Program
regardless of the wages they receive from their employers: Provided, That all
househelpers currently eligible for benefits under the Social Security System
(SSS) shall automatically be made members of the NHIP.

SEC. 4. Enrollment. - All househelpers shall enroll in the Program in order
for them to be placed under coverage that entitles them to avail of the benefits and
the financial assistance provided therein: 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 employers of the househelpers shall pay the
monthly contributions as provided for by law: Provided, That the monthly
contributions shall not exceed three percent (3%) of the househelpers’ monthly
salary and shall not be deducted from the latter.

SEC. 6. Penalties for Violation. — Failure of the employer to remit to
PhilHealth his/her corresponding contribution shall not be a reason for depriving
the beneficiary of the benefits under the law. Such failure will, however, subject the
erring or negligent employer 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. Repealing Clause. — Any law, executive order, letter of instruction
or any part thereof which is inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Act is
hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

SEC. 8. 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
circulation.

Approved,