NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
s.B. No. 644
of tl)p »•'
*22 JUU4 P4 -01
ri^ce:ved bY.
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
AN ACT
EXEMPTING MIGRANT WORKERS FROM THE PAYMENT OF PREMIUM 
CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE PHILIPPINE HEALTH INSURANCE CORPORATION, 
AMENDING FC R THIS PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT ,MO. 11222 OTHERWISE 
KNOWN AS THE "UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE ACT," AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article II, Section 18 of the 1987 Constitution provides that, "the State affirms 
labor as a primary social economic force. It shall protect the rights of workers and 
promote their welfare."QoroWary to this. Article II Section 15 of the Constitution also 
mandates that "the State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people 
and instill health consciousness among them."
Under Republic Act No. 11223 or the recently enacted "Universal Healthcare 
Act", Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) or migrant workers were included as direct 
contributors in funding the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP) of the 
Government, thereby subjecting them to pay premium contributions at specified rates. 
Since its effectivity, the global alliance of Filipino migrant workers have consistently 
aired tneir disapproval in the implementation of the said Circular, asserting that this 
has become too burdensome for OFWs, many of whom are already suffering from 
retrenchment and loss of income at this dire time of a global pandemic caused by the 
corona virus-2019 (COVID-19) infection.
On June 2022, the Federation of Free Workers President Sonny Matula stated 
that, " Napakabigat po nito lalong-lalo na para sa ating mga overseas Filipino workers
1


sapagkat si la po la hat, 100% sa kanilang ballkat po ang pagbabayad ng premium na 
ito."
In an effort to address the plight of our OFWs, this bill seeks to amend Republic 
Act No. 11223 by exempting them from the mandatory payment of premium 
contributions and requiring that they be registered as indirect contributors where 
payment of premium of subsidized by the government.
For the foregoing reasons, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
IMEE R. MARCOi


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
s.B. No. R44
ot tin a-etai7>
72 JULU P4 -01
RHCEIVLD BY,
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
AN ACT
EXEMPTING MIGRANT WORKERS FROM THE PAYMENT OF PREMIUM 
CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE PHILIPPINE HEALTH INSURANCE CORPORATION, 
AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11223 OTHERWISE 
KNOWN AS THE "UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE ACT/' AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
SECTION 1. Section 4 of Republic Act No. 11223 is hereby amended to read as
follows:
"Sec. 4 Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:
XXX
(f) Direct contributors refer to those who have the capacity 
to pay premiums, are gainfully employed and are bound 
by an employer-employee relationship, or are self- 
earrang, professional practitioners, [fffgiant worl^efs 
including—thetf—qualified—dependents,] and lifetime 
members.
PROVIDED THAT, MIGRANT WORKERS OR 
OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS SHALL BE


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
REGISTERED AS INDIRECT 
UNDER PARAGRAPH O HEREOF.
XXX
CONTRIBUTORS
(V) MIGRANT WORKER REFERS TO LAND-BASED 
OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS (OFWS);
SEAFARERS AND OTHER SEA-BASED WORKERS;
FILIPINOS WITH DUAL CITIZENSHIP IN 
ACCORDANCE TO REPUBLIC ACT 9225 
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 
"CITIZENSHIP RETENTION AND REACQUISITION 
ACT OF 2003"; FILIPINOS LIVING ABROAD;
OVERSEAS FILIPINOS IN DISTRESS; AND OTHER 
OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS NOT PREVIOUSLY 
CL/SSIFIED ELSEWHERE."
SEC. 2. Section 9 of Republic Act No. 11223 is hereby amended to read as
follows:
"Sec, 9. Entitlement to Benefits. - Every member shall 
be granted immediate eligibility for health benefit package 
under the Program: Provided, That PhilHealth 
Identification Card shall not be required in the 
availment of any health service: Provided, further. That 
no co-payment shall be charged 
for services
rendered in oasic or ward accomm.;dat;on: 
Provided, furthermore. That co-payments and co- 
insurance for amenities in public hospitals shall be 
regulated by the DOH and PhilHealth: Provided, finally. 
That the current PhilHealth package for members shall 
not be reduced.
PhilHealth shall provide additional Program benefits for 
direct contributors, where applicable: Provided, That 
failure to pay premiums shall not prevent the enjoyment 
of any Program benefits: Provided, further. That 
employers and self- employed direct cont.ibuLors 
shall be required to pay all missed contributions with an


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
interest, compounded monthly, of at least three percent 
(3%) for employers and not exceeding one and one- 
half percent (1.5%) for self-earning, AND professional 
practitioners[,-aftd-migrant workers].
SEC. 3. Section 10 of Republic Act No. 11223 is hereby amended to read as 
follows:
v‘Sec. 10. Premium Contributions. - For direct 
contributors, premium rates shall be in accordance 
with the following schedule, and monthly income floor
and ceiling:
Year
Premium Rate
Income Floor
Income Ceiling
2019
2.75%
P10,000.00
P50.000.00
2020
3.00 %
P10,000.00
P60,000.00
2021
[3.50%] 3.25%
P10,000.00
P70,000.00
2022
[4.00 %] 1.50%
F10,00D.00
P80,000.00
2023
[4.50 %] 3.75%
R10,000.00
P90,000.00
2024
[5.00 %] 4.00%
P10,000.00
P100,000.00
2025
[5.00 %] 4.25%
P10,000.00
P100,000.00
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
Provided, That for indirect contributors, premium 
subsidy shall be gradually adjusted and Included annually in 
the General Appropriations Act (GAA): Provided, further. That 
the funds shall be released 
to 
PhilHealth:
Provided, furthermore; 
That the DOH, in coordination
with PhilHealth, may request Congress to appropriate 
supplemental funding to meet targeted milestones 
of this Act: Provided, finally. That for every Increase in the 
rate of contribution of direct contributors and premium subsidy 
of indirect contributors, PhilHealth shall provide for a 
corresponding increase in benefits.


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28 
29
IN THE EVENT OF A STATE OF NATIONAL EMERGENCY 
OR PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY, OR STATE OF 
NATIONAL CALAMITY, THE PriESIDENT OF THE 
PHILIPPINES, UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE 
PHILHEALTH BOARD AFTER CONSULTATION WITH 
STAKEHOLDERS, MAY SUSPEND THE INCREASE IN 
PREMIUM CONTRIBUTION RATES PROVIDED UNDER 
THIS SECTION. THE MANDATED INCREASE SHALL BE 
IMPLEMENTED UPON THE LIFTING OF THE STATE OF 
NATIONAL EMERGENCY, OR PUBLIC HEALTH 
EMERGENCY, OR STATE OF NATIONAL CALAMITY. ALL 
SUBSEQUENT SCHEDULED INCREASES IN 
CONTRIBUTION RATES SHALL BE IMPLEMENTED IN 
THE SUCCEEDING YEARS ACCORDINGLY."
SEC. 4. Continuity of Benefits. - Nothing in this Act shail be construed to 
eliminate or diminish any benefits or entitlements already granted to members of 
PhilHealth.
SEC. 5. Sepi rabiiity Clause. - If for any reason any part or prevision of this Act 
shail be deemed unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions hereof shall 
not be affected and shall remain in force and effect.
SEC. 6. Repealing Clause. - All provisions of existing laws, orders and 
regulations contrary to or inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified 
accordingly.
SEC. 7. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. .
Approved,