Even though it was reported that President Duterte directs PhilHealth to make the payment of premiums voluntary for OFWs, it appears that this only true during the COVID-19 pandemic but R.A. 11223 a.k.a. Universal Health Care Act of 2019 will still be enforced once the country is in the clear.

PhilHealth did reiterates that the Universal Health Care Act of 2019 is “pending amendments of the Law, if any, by the Congress of the Republic of the Philippines.” So until the UHC Law is amended, PhilHealth will still enforced it.

PhilHealth made the announcement of PhilHealth Advisory No. 2020-037 on their official FB page