POEA not requiring payment of Philhealth contributions before issuance of OEC for OFWs

The POEA hereby informs the public that since the passage of Republic Act 11223, otherwise known as the Philippine Universal Health Care Act, the POEA Governing Board, a tripartite policymaking body with DOLE Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III as its Chairperson, has not passed a resolution that authorizes the POEA to require OFWs to pay Philhealth premium in their application for the issuance of OECs.

The advisory is as follows:

ADVISORY No. 56 Series of 2020

No POEA Governing Board Resolution Requiring Payment of Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth) Contributions in the Issuance of Overseas Employment Certificates (OECs) for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs)

The POEA hereby informs the public that since the passage of Republic Act 11223, otherwise known as the Philippine Universal Health Care Act, the POEA Governing Board, a tripartite policymaking body with DOLE Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III as its Chairperson, has not passed a resolution that authorizes the POEA to require OFWs to pay Philhealth premium in their application for the issuance of OECs.

As such, the public is assured that POEA systems and processes on the issuance of OECs are currently not linked with that of the Philhealth, and is consistent with the directive of President Rodrigo R. Duterte to ease OFWs of additional burden by suspending the collection of higher premiums from OFWs. Likewise, the POEA is compliant with the same presidential directive to recognize the payment of Philhealth membership contribution as voluntary.

For the information and guidance of all concerned.