: SEIN'S entice of the can tag AUG 14 P2:45 TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session RECEIVED E: SENATI 5. 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. лідок
SRiN 25 AUG 14 P2:46 TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) First Regular Session RECEIVED B! 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 Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
Section 1. Section 18 of Republic Act No. 7875, otherwise known as the
'National Health Insurance Act of 1995', as amended by Republic Act No. 10606, is hereby further amended to read as follows:
Section 18. The Board of Directors. -
(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;
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
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
Section 2. Repealing Clause - All laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, other
issuances or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with this Act, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
Section 3. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,