The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) will not proceed with the scheduled increase of contribution rate for members, following the order of President Duterte to defer its implementation.

In a statement Tuesday, PhilHealth President Dante Gierran said in response to the directive of President Duterte, PhilHealth will still collect premiums from direct contributors using the 3 percent instead of the 3.5 percent contributions rate; and the P60,000 instead of the P70,000 ceiling in CY 2020.

However, the health insurer said it will proceed with the hike if the Congress would not be able to pass a new law allowing the deferment of the increased rate. 

“This interim arrangement will be good until Congress is able to pass a new law allowing the deferment of the scheduled premium adjustment in the Universal Health Care Act of 2019,” Gierran said.

“Should there be no new legislation passed for this purpose, the state health insurer will proceed with the scheduled premium rate and ceiling as provided for in the Universal Health Care law,” the PhilHealth chief added.    

In a public briefing, the President ordered Gierran to suspend the monthly premium hike amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation is one with the President in his effort to ease the burden on many Filipinos being affected by the pandemic, Gierran said.

“Cognizant of the current fortuitous situation that ravaged so many lives and derailed the economy, PhilHealth will do its part in alleviating the lives of Filipinos especially insofar as their health is concerned,” he added.