Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

4811

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by: Hon. Angelina “Helen” D.L. Tan, M.D.

AN ACT GRANTING AUTOMATIC PHILHEALTH COVERAGE FOR ALL
ORPHANS, ABANDONED AND ABUSED MINORS, OUT-OF-SCHOOL
YOUTHS AND STREET 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”

EXPLANATORY NOTE

In 2000, the Philippine made a commitment to “spare no effort to free our fellow
men, women, and children from the abject and dehumanizing conditions of extreme
poverty” which was later on translated into the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

In 2015, the country has renewed its commitment to “end poverty and hunger, in
all their forms and dimensions, and to ensure that all human beings can fulfill their
potential in dignity and equality and in a healthy environment” under the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs).

In particular, one of the SDGs seeks to “Achieve universal health coverage,
including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and
access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all”
(Goal 3.3.8).

Towards this end, the objective of the National Health Insurance Act of 2013 or
Republic Act 10606 is to mandatorily cover all Filipinos under the National Health
Insurance Program (NHIP) consistent with the principles of universality and
compulsory coverage and also ensure sustained coverage and continuous enhancement
of quality service. It also prioritizes and accelerates the provision of health services to all
Filipinos, especially those segments of the population who cannot afford such essential
services for health.

R.A. 10606 identifies the orphans, abused and abandoned minors, street children
and out-of-school-youths as one of the more vulnerable sectors that need access to
quality health care through the NHIP enrollment and coverage, which however, is under
the Sponsored Members of the NHIP. In view of ensuring sustained coverage and
continuous enhancement of quality health services to these sectors, this bill seeks to


provide automatic PhilHealth membership to all the orphans, abused and abandoned
minors, street children and out-of-school-youths who are not yet enrolled under any
existing categories of PhilHealth.

Through this initiative, the attainment of the universal PhilHealth coverage will
be a step closer as it will automatically enroll all the orphans, abused and abandoned
minors, street children and out-of-school-youths in the NHIP of the government.

Hence, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

ANGELINA “HELEN” D.L. TAN, M.D.
4th District, Quezon


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO.__ 4811

Introduced by: Hon. Angelina “Helen” D.L. Tan, M.D.

AN ACT GRANTING AUTOMATIC PHILHEALTH COVERAGE FOR ALL
ORPHANS, ABANDONED AND ABUSED MINORS, OUT-OF-SCHOOL
YOUTHS AND STREET 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”

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “PhilHealth Para sa
Ulilang Kabataan At Iba Pa Act”.

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 ORPHANS, ABANDONED AND ABUSED MINORS, OUT-OF-SCHOOL
YOUTHS AND STREET CHILDREN WHO ARE NOT CURRENTLY COVERED UNDER
ANY EXISTING CATEGORY OF PHILHEALTH.

SEC. 3. A new Section 29-C is hereby inserted after Section 29-B of Republic Act
No. 7875, as amended by Republic Act No. 10606 to read as follows:


“SEC. 29-C. Coverage of orphans, abandoned and abused minors, out-of-school
youths, and street children. - The premium contributions of orphans, abandoned and
abused minors, out-of-school youths, and street children shall be fully borne by the
national government to be sourced from the national health insurance fund of
PhilHealth earmarked from the proceeds of Sin Tax Collections as provided in Republic
Act No. 10351.

SEC. 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Philippine Health Insurance
Corporation (Philhealth) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development
(DSWD) shall promulgate, not later than thirty (30) days upon the effectivity of this Act,
the necessary rules and regulation for its proper and effective implementation.

SEC. 5. 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. 6. 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,