The Global Overseas Filipino Worker Voices group (GOV) that claims to represent Filipino workers in 67 countries has reiterated a strong plea to the Philippine government to stop the PhilHealth premium increase for Filipinos working overseas.
The group has asked the authorities to make coverage optional as many do not typically benefit from PhilHealth coverage as they are already insured by their employers abroad.
PhilHealth, a national health insurance program in the Philippines, plans to increase premium payments for overseas workers from 1,200 pesos to 2,400 pesos ($ 50) by Jan. 1, 2013.
In an open letter they “call on the President of the Republic of the Philippines, His Excellency Benigno “Noynoy” C. Aquino, together with his appointees to the Board of PhilHealth, headed by Secretary Enrique T. Ona and Dr. Eduardo P. Banzon, to carefully consider this impending hike as it will definitely undermine the mandate of your offices.”
A GOV organizer said, “In 2010, PhilHealth claimed to have achieved universal coverage with 86 percent of Filipinos, but a 2010 survey showed only 36 percent of respondents had coverage.”
Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) from Malaysia and Jeddah have come together as the Global OFW Voices group. Organizer Brenda P. Pinosan said, “We believe empowerment and recognition will only be realized through a collective effort and so we come together to voice our sentiments and beliefs about issues that affect us, our families and our loved ones.”
The group uses various social media outlets and has already received 10,610 ‘likes’ on Facebook.
Some senators in the Philippines have also expressed support to the global voices campaign.
OFWs Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator, John Leonard Monterona, said his group has an ongoing protest against PhilHealth’s proposed premium increase, which will see premium costs double by January 2013. “We will intensify our campaign against this illegal and unreasonable increase in premiums,” he said.
Meanwhile, his group has asked PhilHealth to consult OFWs about an online system to handle insurance claims.
PhilHealth president and chief executive officer Dr. Eduardo Banzon issued a statement on Wednesday saying, “The government premier insurance corporation plans to set up an online system by next year.”
Reacting to the statement, Monterona said, “This is not a new idea, but it is worth pursuing.” Monterona suggested PhilHealth must extensively consult OFWs and the various Filipino communities abroad as well as their dependents back home.
“Most Filipino workers living abroad are Internet savvy and they know what they need in terms of an online system that works for them,” he added.
“However, if the online process requires submission of original documentation, the claimant will have the added expense of sending these documents by courier, he added.
Monterona said the cost of the proposed online system does not justify the proposed health premium increase.
He challenges PhilHealth management to be transparent about their financial status and publish a financial statement.
