President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has officially directed the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to implement a one-time general amnesty on unpaid premium contributions. The directive aims to provide financial relief to business owners, private employers, and self-employed individuals by waiving all accumulated interests and penalties.
In a video message released on Thursday, President Marcos emphasized the government’s commitment to making healthcare more accessible. The order mandates a waiver of the 3% compounded monthly interest typically charged on late payments.
“In our continuous effort to help our countrymen, I have asked PhilHealth to implement a general amnesty for those with unpaid contributions,” President Marcos stated. “We recognize that the 3% monthly interest is a significant burden that many of our citizens feel every single month.”
The amnesty is designed to help members settle their accounts and regain full access to health benefits without the weight of mounting debt.
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Eligibility: Applies to business owners, private employers, and self-employed members.
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Coverage Period: Members can settle missed contributions dating from 2013 through 2024.
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Duration: The government is providing a one-year window throughout 2026 to settle these dues.
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Impact: Approximately 300,000 PhilHealth members are expected to benefit from this initiative.
Beyond settling arrears, the President urged employers to update employee records and enroll them in the PhilHealth YAKAP (Yaman ng Health Program).
This enhanced primary care program is a cornerstone of the administration’s healthcare strategy, offering:
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Free medical consultations
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Essential medicines and laboratory tests
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Comprehensive cancer screenings for early detection
“We continue to take these steps to ease the burden of healthcare costs and the daily challenges our countrymen face,” the President added.
