PhilHealth orders mandatory coverage for bus firm workers

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) has issued a circular making the enrolment of bus operators, drivers and conductors mandatory under the agency’s formal health sector program.

PhilHealth president and chief executive officer Dr. Eduardo Banzon said Circular 034 Series of 2012 aims to protect the welfare of individuals in the “public bus transport sector” in accordance with various issuances of the Department of Labor and Employment and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.

Banzon noted that as employers, bus operators should facilitate their employees’ enrolment with PhilHealth.

“The employees’ monthly premium contributions shall be deducted and withheld automatically by the employer from the employees’ monthly basic salary. The employer counterpart in the payment of contribution shall not in any way be charged to the employee,” he said.

The circular stated that employers who will violate the circular face penalties under the Philippine National Health Insurance Act of 1995.