Good News for OFWs, after a petition campaign Filipinos living aborad have won and the PhilHealth loses the game, The Good news is that Filipinos are no longer required to pay for their PhilHealth premiums following directives from President Rodrigo Duterte.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque shared the directive from the president through a media briefing and furthered that overseas Filipinos should pay only on a voluntary basis.
“Ipinapaalam po namin sa inyo na nag-isyo ng direktiba ang ating Presidente sa PhilHealth para gawing boluntaryo po ang pagbabayad ng mga OFWs ng PhilHealth premiums. Alinsunod dito, inanunsyo na po ni Secretary Duque ng Department of Health na sinususpinde po niya ang item 10.2.c ng implementing rules and regulations ng Universal Health Care na nagpapataw nang mas mataas na kontribusyon habang meron tayong problema sa COVID-19,” said Roque."
OEC will also be issued to Filipinos:
Roque also clarified that PhilHealth payments are no longer needed for OFWs to secure their Overseas Employment Certificate if they need to fly in or out of the Philippines.
“Inanunsyo na rin po ng POEA at ng OWWA na hindi na po i-re-require ang pagbayad ng PhilHealth premiums ng mga OFW para sila po ma-isyuhan ng kinaukulang mga papeles – ang OEC para makalabas ng bansa,” said Roque.
The pronouncement from PhilHealth stems from a circular released April 22, where it states that Filipinos overseas now have to pay 3% of their monthly income, and that missing out on payments will lead to compounded interests. It also stated that the minimum payment requirement beginning next year will be at least 3 months worth of payment.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin took a swipe at the insurance policy and defended OFWs by saying that
“Why don’t we just leave OFWs alone except to help them when they are in trouble. Their blood but better wages abroad account for 10% of our GDP according to the assholes who want to take some of their earnings,”
Thank You to each and every person who defended the OFWs in this difficult time, Share if You are happy.
SOURCE : UAE Labours
