TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
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25 AUG 14 P 2 '45
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SENATE
S. No. 1188
Introduced by Senator MANUEL "LITO" M. LAPID
AN ACT
INCREASING THE REPRESENTATION OF FILIPINO MIGRANT WORKERS IN 
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE PHILIPPINE HEALTH INSURANCE 
CORPORATION TO TWO (2) PERMANENT MEMBERS, ONE EACH FOR LAND- 
BASED AND SEA-BASED FILIPINO MIGRANT WORKERS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
To establish a National Health Insurance Program (NHIP) for all Filipinos, 
Congress enacted Republic Act No. 7875 in 1995, creating the Philippine Health 
Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to implement and administer the program. Under 
its Implementing Rules and Regulations (PhilHealth Board Resolution No. 324-00), 
Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) were classified as "individually-paying" voluntary 
members. The law also provided for representation in PhilHealth's Board of Directors 
through a designated seat for the labor sector.
In 2013, Republic Act No. 10606 amended RA 7875. This amendment 
introduced the term "migrant workers," defined as documented or undocumented 
Filipinos engaged in remunerated activities in countries where they are not citizens. It 
retained the permanent seat in the Board of Directors for a representative of the 
"Filipino migrant worker."
Then in 2018, Republic Act No. 11223, or the "Universal Health Care Law," was 
enacted, institutionalizing universal health care for all Filipinos and implementing


comprehensive reforms to the national health system. Under this law, migrant workers 
were reclassified as "direct contributors," with mandatory membership in the NHIP.
In 2021, the Philippine Statistics Authority reported that approximately 1.83 
million Filipinos were working in various host countries. Their economic significance 
was reflected in the record USD 34.88 billion in remittances they sent that year, 
accounting for 8.9% of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Of this figure, 
about USD 7 billion came from sea-based OFWs.
Among OFWs, Filipino seafarers—distinct from their land-based counterparts— 
represent a vital segment that provides indispensable services not only to the 
Philippines' maritime sector but also to international shipping industries. According to 
the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), some 229,000 Filipino 
seafarers are deployed on merchant vessels and cruise ships worldwide at any given 
time.
In recognition of the unique and substantial contributions of Filipino seafarers 
to both the national economy and global maritime operations, this bill seeks to 
enhance the representation of Filipino migrant workers in PhilHealth's Board of 
Directors. It proposes the appointment of two (2) permanent board members—one 
representing land-based OFWs and another for sea-based OFWs—by amending 
Section 18 of Republic Act No. 7875, as further modified by Republic Act No. 10606.
Representation is a cornerstone of democratic governance. It ensures that the 
diverse sectors and interests in our society have a meaningful voice, and that their 
genuine needs and preferences are effectively reflected in policy-making and 
institutional decision-making.
In view of the foregoing, early passage of this bill is earnestly requested.
MANUEL "LITO" M. LAPID
Senator 
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TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. No. 1188
25 AUG 14 P2:46
RECEIVED BV
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid
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AN ACT
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INCREASING THE REPRESENTATION OF FILIPINO MIGRANT WORKERS IN
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THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE PHILIPPINE HEALTH INSURANCE
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CORPORATION TO TWO (2) PERMANENT MEMBERS, ONE EACH FOR LAND-
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BASED AND SEA-BASED FILIPINO MIGRANT WORKERS
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled:
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Section 1. Section 18 of Republic Act No. 7875, otherwise known as the
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'National Health Insurance Act of 1995', as amended by Republic Act No. 10606, is
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hereby further amended to read as follows:
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Section 18. The Board of Directors.-
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(a) Composition. - The Corporation shall be governed by a Board of 
Directors hereinafter referred to as the Board, composed of the following 
members:
1. The Secretary of Health;
2. The Secretary of Labor and Employment or a permanent 
representative;
3. The Secretary of the Interior and Local Government or a 
permanent representative;
4. The Secretary of Social Welfare and Development or a permanent 
representative;


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5. The Secretary of the Department of Finance (DOF) or a 
permanent representative;
6. The President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the 
Corporation;
7. The SSS Administrator or a permanent representative;
8. The GSIS General Manager or a permanent representative;
9. The Vice Chairperson for the basic sector of the National Anti- 
Poverty Commission or a permanent representative;
10. The Chairperson of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) or a 
permanent representative;
11. A permanent representative of LAND-BASED Filipino migrant 
workers;
12. A 
PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF SEA-BASED
FILIPINO MIGRANT WORKERS
13. A permanent representative of the members in the informal 
economy;
14. A permanent representative of the members in the formal 
economy;
15. A representative of employers;
16. A representative of health care providers to be endorsed by their 
national associations of health care institutions and medical health 
professionals;
17. A permanent representative of the elected local chief executives 
to be endorsed by the League of Provinces, League of Cities and 
League of Municipalities; and,
18. An independent director to be appointed by the Monetary Board.
The Secretary of Health shall be the ex officio Chairperson while the 
President and CEO of the Corporation shall be the Vice Chairperson of 
the Board."
(b) Appointment and Tenure. - Except for ex officio members, the other 
members of the Board shall be appointed by the President of the
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Philippines in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act No. 10149, 
otherwise known as the 'GOCC Governance Act of 2011': Provided, That 
sectoral board members shall be appointed by the President of the 
Philippines upon the recommendation of the Chairperson and after due 
consultations with the sectors concerned.
The term of office of the appointive members of the Board shall be in 
accordance with Republic Act No. 10149.
XXX
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Section 2. Repealing Clause - All laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, other
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issuances or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with this Act, are hereby repealed
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or modified accordingly.
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Section 3. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
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its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
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Approved,