FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Second Regular Session 
SE 
S. Nc I. 
~ 
Introduced by Senator Manny Villar 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The State's policy to adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to 
health development available to all Filipinos and the provision of free medical 
care to the underprivileged was effected with the enactment of Republic Act 7875 
or the National Health Insurance Act of 1995. The program covers a sustainable 
and progressive social health insurance and affordable quality health care 
services readily accessible to all Filipinos. At the core of this program is the 
creation of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation or more popularly known 
as PHILHEALTH in place of MEDICARE. 
In the field of social health care, PHILHEALTH is one of the most 
distinctive achievements of our government. 
As the country's premier state-run health insurer, PHILHEALTH sets the 
standards, rules and regulations necessary to ensure quality of care, appropriate 
utilization of services, fund viability, member satisfaction, and over-all 
accomplishment of the program objectives set forth under RA 7875. 
It should be noted however, that the law specifically provides that 
accessibility to these health care services are accorded to all Filipinos where the 
underprivileged, sick, elderly, disabled, women and children are given the utmost 
priority. Househelpers or housemaids is one of those who are underprivileged, 
neglected and discriminated groups of the employed in society. And undeniably 
more prone to harm with their employers be it here or abroad. 
Under present laws, only government and private employees or laborers 
are covered by PHILHEALTH insurance. This excludes househelpers which runs 
counter to the mandatory and compulsory coverage of all citizens of the 
Philippines in the program as required by RA 7875. 
This proposed bill aims to uplift the standard of living of all house helpers 
and recognize them as a significant sector in the labor force by requiring their 
employers to provide them PHILHEALTH coverage. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate enactment of this proposed 
measure is earnestly sought. 


FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Second Regular Session 
SENATE 
1 
Introduced by Senator Manny Villar 
AN ACT REQUIRING THE MANDATORY COVERAGE OF ALL 
HOUSEHELPERS IN THE NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE 
PROGRAM (NHIP) UNDER THE PHILIPPINE HEALTH 
INSURANCE CORPORATION (PHILHEALTH) 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Objective. - This Act seeks to provide for the mandatory 
coverage of househelpers in the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP) 
under the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth). 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - Section 11, Article Xlll of the 1987 
Constitution declares that the State shall 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. 
Priority for the needs of the underprivileged sick, elderly, disabled, women, and 
children shall be recognized. Likewise, it shall be the policy of the State to 
provide free medical care to paupers. 
SEC. 3. Coverage. - All househelpers shall be'covered by the Program 
regardless of the wages they receive from their employers: Provided, That all 
househelpers currently eligible for benefits under the Social Security System 
(SSS) shall automatically be made members of the NHIP. 
SEC. 4. Enrollment. -All househelpers shall enroll in the Program in order 
for them to be placed under coverage that entitles them to avail of the benefits 
and the financial assistance provided therein: Provided, That the beneficiaries 
under this Act shall be issued appropriate documentation specifying eligibility to 
benefits and indicating how benefit was obtained or is being maintained. 
SEC. 5. Contributions. - The employers of the househelpers shall pay the 
monthly contributions as provided for by law: Provided, That the monthly 
contributions shall not exceed three percent (3%) of the househelpers' monthly 
salary and shall not be deducted from the latter. 
SEC. 6. Penalties for Violation. - Failure of the employer to remit to 
PhilHealth hidher corresponding contribution shall not be a reason for depriving 
the beneficiary of the benefits under the law. Such failure will, however, subject 
the erring or negligent employer to the penalties provided by law, without 
1 


prejudice to the right of PhilHealth to collect full reimbursement for honoring a 
properly filed claim. 
SEC. 7. Repealing Clause. -Any law, executive order, letter of instruction 
or any part thereof which is inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Act is 
hereby repealed or amended accordingly. 
SEC. 8. 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, 
2