President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has ordered the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to implement a "one-time waiver" of interest on unpaid premium contributions, granting relief to employers and self-employed Filipinos burdened by accumulated penalties.
In a video statement, Marcos said the move is part of the administration’s continuing efforts to ease the financial burden of healthcare costs on Filipinos, particularly small businesses, private employers, and self-employed workers who have struggled to keep up with monthly payments.
“Sa aming patuloy na tumulong sa ating mga kababayan, lalo-lalo na sa healthcare, inutusan ko ang PhilHealth na magpatupad ng general amnesty para sa mga negosyante, private employer, at mga self-employed na hindi nakabayad ng kontribusyon,” Marcos said.
“Alam naman namin na yung 3% na binabayad para sa PhilHealth, na buwan-buwan ay ramdam na ramdam ng ating mga kababayan,” he added.
The President announced that starting 2026, PhilHealth will grant a general amnesty on interest for unpaid contributions and allow a one-year payment window for settling missed premiums incurred from July 2013 to December 2024.
Under the directive, interest penalties accumulated over more than a decade will be waived once, provided that the principal contributions are paid within the one-year grace period. The government estimates that the measure could benefit around 300,000 members and employers.
Marcos also urged employers to update their records and ensure their workers are properly registered under PhilHealth’s Yaman Kalusugan (YAKAP) Program, which aims to expand coverage and improve access to healthcare services.
“Hinihikayat din natin ang ating mga employer na i-update ang lahat ng impormasyon ninyo at irehistro ang mga empleyado ninyo sa YAKAP Program,” he said.
The President emphasized that the policy is part of a broader strategy to reduce healthcare-related costs and help Filipinos cope with daily economic pressures.
“Ito po ay patuloy naming ginagawa upang pagaanin ang dala ng ating mga kababayan tungkol sa healthcare costs at sa lahat ng iba’t ibang hamon na hinaharap nila araw-araw,” Marcos said.
