PHILHEALTH in collaboration with the DOLE has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation to strengthen their efforts in ensuring the welfare and protections of all workers in pursuant to:

Section 14, Rule III of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of R.A. 7875 as amended, states that œAll government and private sector employees, including household and seabased OFWs, shall be compulsory members of the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP) .

Under the MOUC, DOLE through its visitorial and enforcement power (Articles 128 and 129 of the Labor Code of the Philippines) directs the effective implementation of the Labor Standards Enforcement Frameworks (LSEF) which shall assist PhilHealth by incorporating its requirements in the monitoring of establishments to ensure employer ™s compliance with labor standard law particularly, in the enforcement of membership and contribution policies and strict compliance from employer which includes among others, the registration/enrollment of their employees to the NHIP and prompt remittance and reporting of Philhealth Premium Contribution.

Failure on the part of the employer to deduct and/or remit said contributions to PhilHealth shall make the employer liable under the penal provision of the law as provided for under R.A. 7875 as amended by R.A. 9241.

This Circular shall take effect within fifteen (15) days upon its publication in news papers of general circulation.

Please be guided accordingly.

(SGD.) DR. REY B. AQUINO
  President and CEO