SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Third Regular Session 
) 
'15 
OCT -6 P 6 :42 
SENATE 
S.No. 2985 
Introduced by Senator Ralph G. Recto 
AN ACT 
GRANTING MANDATORY PHILHEALTH COVERAGE TO ALL PERSONS WITH 
DISABILITY, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7277, AS 
AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "MAGNA CARTA FOR PERSONS WITH 
DISABILITY", PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Explanatory Note 
The Philippines is known as a nation that holds in high regard the promotion of social 
justice and values the dignity of every human person. In line with this, Congress has enacted 
laws that promote, protect and ensure the full enjoyment of basic human rights by all human 
beings, including persons with disability (PWDs). 
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities defines PWDs 
as those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which may 
hinder their full and effective participation in the society on an equal basis with others. The same 
convention called on all UN member-states to ensure that PWDs enjoy their rights, freedom and 
dignity. 
In the Philippines, the rights of PWDs, particularly in the fields of employment, 
education, health, auxiliary services and telecommunications are enshrined in Republic Act No. 
7227 or the "Magna Carta for Persons with Disability". This law also prohibits any and all 
discriminatory acts against PWDs. Subsequently, RA No. 9442 which amended the said Magna 
Carta extended to PWDs the privileges and incentives being enjoyed by senior citizens such as 
discounts on purchases of select goods and services. 
The 2010 Census showed that there are approximately 1,442,586 PWDs in the country 
representing 1.53% of the entire Filipino population. The same people are said to belong to the 
poorest segments of the Filipino populationl . Thus, they are the ones who are greatly challenged 
to provide for their basic needs, specifically those that are health and medical in nature. 
I have filed this bill to provide all PWDs with automatic health insurance coverage under 
the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth). Once enacted into law, all PWDs shall 
be able to enjoy the benefits of Philhealth. By doing so, they will be freed, to some extent, from 
the financial burden of availing health care services. To support their enrollment to Philhealth, 
the national government shall pay for their premium payments to be sourced from the sin tax 
collections in accordance with Republic Act No. 10351 otherwise known as "An Act 
Restructuring the Excise Tax on Alcohol and Tobacco Products". 
It is in this regard that the passage ofthis bill is e 
1 United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN-ESCAP). 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Third Regular Session 
) 
'15 
OCT -6 P6:42 
SENATE 
S.No. 2985 
Introduced by Senator Ra1ph G. Recto 
AN ACT 
GRANTING MANDATORY PHILHEALTH COVERAGE TO ALL PERSONS WITH 
DISABILITY (PWDs), AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7277, 
AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "MAGNA CARTA FOR PERSONS 
WITH DISABILITY", PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR AND 
FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
1 
SECTION 1. Short Title. -
This Act shall be known as the "Mandatory 
2 
Philhealth Coverage for All PWDs Act of 20 15 ". 
3 
Sec. 2. A new section is hereby added after Section 18 under "Chapter III. 
4 
HEALTH" of Republic Act No. 7277, as amended, otherwise known as the "Magna 
5 
Carta for Persons with Disability" to read as follows: 
6 
"SEC. 19. MANDATORY PHILHEALTH COVERAGE. -
ALL 
7 
PERSONS WITH DISABILITY SHALL BE COVERED BY THE 
8 
NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM OF PHILHEALTH. 
9 
FUNDS NECESSARY TO ENSURE THE ENROLLMENT OF ALL PWDS 
10 
WHO ARE NOT CURRENTLY COVERED UNDER ANY EXISTING 
11 
CATEGORY SHALL BE SOURCED FROM THE NATIONAL HEALTH 
12 
INSURANCE FUND OF PHILHEALTH EARMARKED FROM THE 
13 
PROCEEDS OF SIN TAX COLLECTIONS AS PROVIDED FOR IN 
14 
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10351. 
15 
Sec. 3. The succeeding sections of Republic Act No. 7277, as amended, are 
16 
hereby renumbered accordingly. 
17 
Sec. 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The Philippine Health Insurance 
18 
Corporation (Philhealth) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development 
19 
(DSWD) shall promulgate, not later than thirty (30) days upon the effectivity of this Act, 
20 
the necessary rules and regulation for its proper and effective implementation. 
21 
Sec. 5. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and 
22 
regulations, or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, 
23 
amended or modified accordingly. 
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1 
Sec. 6. 
Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
2 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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