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NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
of ti): g>f a-PtaiT
23 Jf\N 30 A10S2
SENATE
Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG RE VILLA, JR.
AN ACT
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11223, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 
"UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE ACT-
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article XIII, Section 11 of the 1987 Constitution provides that it is the duty of 
"the State to 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."
Republic Act No. 11223, or otherwise known as the "Universal Health Care 
(UHC) Act', is an important legislation ensuring accessible and affordable healthcare 
services; however, it has also subjected the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) or 
migrant workers, as direct contributors to National Health Insurance Program, to pay 
premium contributions at specified rates. The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly affected 
the ability to earn for most Filipinos; hence, this requires the government agencies to 
implement urgent and necessary measures to aid the conditions and alleviate their 
suffering and be responsive to the needs of the times.
This measure aims to amend Section 10 of Republic Act No. 11223 to: such 
that the premium contribution schedule of the migrant workers and self-earning 
individuals shall now be based on the income floor. Relatedly, the migrant workers will 
not be charged for their unpaid contributions upon return to the country and such


failure to pay will not be used against them as grounds for non-issuance of their 
overseas employment certificate.
The measure also authorizes the President to suspend or defer the contribution 
schedule stated in the same section in the event of a nationally declared state of 
emergency or calamity.
In view of providing flexibility to the people during times of great crisis, the 
immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
RAMOI^ONG REVILLA, JR.
1^


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
of dll' ^ n etarj}
23 JAN 30 A10S2
SENATE
Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR.
AN ACT
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11223, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 
"UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE ACT"
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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Section 1. Section 10 of Republic Act No. 11223 is hereby amended to read as
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follows:
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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%
P10,000.00
P70,000.00
2022
4.00%
P10,000.00
P80,000.00
2023
[4v50%] 3.5%
P10,000.00
P90,000.00
2024
[5.00%] 4.0 %
P10,000.00
P100,000.00
2025
[5.00%] 4.5%
P10,000.00
P100,000.00
2026
5.00%
P10,000.00
P100,000.00


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PROVIDED, THAT PREMIUM CONTRIBUTIONS OF MIGRANT 
WORKERS AND SELF-EARNING INDIVIDUALS SHALL BE BASED ON 
THE INCOME FLOOR: PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT UNPAID PREMIUM 
CONTRIBUTIONS OF DISTRESSED OR REPATRIATED MIGRANT 
WORKERS SHALL NOT BE COLLECTED UPON THEIR ARRIVAL IN THE 
COUNTRY: PROVIDED, FINALL Y, THAT FAILURE TO PAY PHILHEALTH 
CONTRIBUTION SHALL NOT BE A GROUND FOR NON-ISSUANCE OF 
OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT CERTIFICATE OF A MIGRANT WORKER.
[Provided, That f]For indirect contributors, premium subsidy shall be 
gradually adjusted and included annually in the General Appropriations Act 
(GAA): Provided, [farther,] That the funds shall be released to Philhealth: 
Provided, further 
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.
IN THE EVENT OF A STATE OF NATIONAL EMERGENCY OR 
PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY, OR STATE OF NATIONAL CALAMITY, 
THE PRESIDENT 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. IN THE EVENT OF 
SUSPENSION, ALL SUBSEQUENT SCHEDULED INCREASES IN 
CONTRIBUTION RATES SHALL BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE 
SUCCEEDING YEARS ACCORDINGLY."
Sec. 2. Non Diminution and Continuity of Benefits. - Nothing in this Act shall be 
construed to eliminate or diminish any benefits or entitlements already granted to 
members of Philhealth.


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Sec. 3. Separability Clause. - If for any reason any part or provision of this Act 
shall be deemed invalid or unconstitutional, the other sections or provisions hereof 
shall not be affected and shall remain in force and effect.
Sec. 4. Repealing Clause. - All laws, orders, decrees, rules and regulations, and 
other parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, 
amended or modified accordingly.
Sec. 5. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication either in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation 
in the Philippines.
Approved,